Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that he personally arranged a meeting between President William Ruto and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, during his time as deputy president. Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader revealed that the meeting was conducted at Ruto’s request.
What Role Did Gachagua Play in the Meeting?
According to Gachagua, Ruto instructed him to handle the official communication and later host Hemedti during his visit to Nairobi.
“President William Ruto has a working relationship with Hemedti, the leader of RSF. I have said that, and I have evidence. I am the one who facilitated the meeting between President William Ruto and Hemedti on his request, because diplomatically a President cannot invite a DP to come and visit him, and Hemedti at that time was the DP of Sudan,” he stated.
He added that Ruto gave him a letter to sign as an official invitation and later tasked him with receiving Hemedti.
“Ruto called me and had a letter for me to sign to invite Hemedti. I picked him up at the airport, delivered him to Ruto, and sat through the discussion,” he said.
Gachagua noted that while the meeting was framed as official, the talks focused largely on trade.
“It was official, but they (Ruto and Hemedti) were discussing business and trade, and gold. Initially, I did not know the purpose of the meeting,” he revealed.
Why Is the Allegation Raising Questions?
The claims surfaced after U.S. Senator James Risch tabled an amendment bill seeking to review Kenya’s non-NATO ally status over concerns about the country’s foreign relations and alleged ties to extremist groups. Gachagua urged Ruto to personally clarify these allegations, particularly the claims about Al-Shabaab.
“President William Ruto answered on the issue of China; he has a mouth; he can answer whether he met Al Shabaab or he did not meet Al Shabaab. Kipchumba Murkomen is not the spokesman for William Ruto,” he said, dismissing remarks by Interior CS Murkomen that accused him of damaging Kenya’s reputation.
What Did Gachagua Say About Mandera?
The former DP also pushed back against accusations that he had branded Mandera residents as terrorists.
“After I asked Ruto to explain about the alleged meeting he had with Al-Shabaab in Mandera, some leaders in that area accused me of having called the people of Mandera terrorists. The people of Mandera are very innocent and have nothing to do with these accusations; the accusations are against Ruto,” he clarified.
Gachagua concluded by stating that he has access to crucial details surrounding the matter and is ready to share them if approached by the appropriate authorities.
“I have a lot of information that is available to those investigating the matter. It is a matter in the US Senate, not Kenya, hence I will not volunteer information to a body that is not investigating
By Yockshard Enyendi