Farouk fires back at Gachagua over remark on 'misadvising Ruto'

President William Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet has fired back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of failing Kenyans during his tenure and engaging in divisive politics after exiting government.

Farouk dismissed Gachagua’s recent remarks made during his tour in the United States, where the DCP party leader accused him and an unnamed MP from Rift Valley of misadvising President William Ruto, claims tied to the ongoing school capitation debate.

“Your remark on shares got you out of government,” said Farouk, in reference to Gachagua’s infamous ‘shareholding’ comments.

 “We are focused on transforming the lives of Kenyans—a responsibility you failed to deliver as Deputy President. We won’t bow down to your theatrics and divisive remarks.”

Gachagua, now the leader of the newly formed Democratic Change Party (DCP), has recently been vocal in his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

 In the U.S., he claimed that Farouk and a Rift Valley MP were misleading the president, particularly over the decision to slash capitation funds for public schools.

But Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi refuted Gachagua’s claims on Friday, stating that Parliament—not the Executive—was to blame for inadequate school funding.

“We disbursed the whole amount allocated in the budget, but still, it is not enough,” Mbadi said during a thanksgiving ceremony in Suba South.

“If you divide the current budget by the number of students in secondary schools, you will only get about Sh17,000 per student. That has been the reality—even during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.”

Mbadi clarified that the government had proposed a higher capitation amount, but Parliament reduced it further during budget approvals.

“Once a budget has been allocated, where do I get the money to pay the full Sh22,000?” he posed.

Farouk, on his part, questioned the sincerity of leaders who focus their philanthropy only in urban areas.

“There are those who use their resources in Nairobi and leave people at the grassroots dry. That is not how to spur development,” he said.

“We believe in the bottom-up approach, which is why we are here to help Kenyans, especially women and youth.”

He emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza administration remains committed to uniting the country and taming tribalism, a veiled counter to Gachagua’s perceived increasingly ethnic-toned rhetoric.

Farouk spoke on Saturday at a Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme in Bungoma County.

“Together, we raised funds to support various women's groups, underscoring our shared commitment to advancing gender equity and economic inclusion. When women are empowered, the nation is empowered,” he said.

Farouk’s comments come amid a growing war of words between Gachagua and his former allies in government.

Once Ruto’s running mate and Deputy President, Gachagua, has since distanced himself from the administration, forming his own party and establishing himself as the defender of Mount Kenya interests.