"I cannot work with him": Ruto rules out talks with Gachagua ahead of 2027

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

On Monday, August 24, the national dailies reported on President William Ruto's stand regarding talks with Rigathi Gachagua.

The papers also reported on former president Uhuru Kenyatta's criticism of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance administration.

1. Daily Nation

President William Ruto appears to have drawn a clear line between the opposition leaders he is willing to work with and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 elections.

Asked whether he could work with the opposition leaders mobilising to end his rule, Dr Ruto said he was open to working with politicians across the di- vide, but ruled out any leader he believes "promotes ethnic bigotry, divisive rhetoric or insults against other Kenyans".

The president added that he could not work with leaders who insult women using what he described as "unprintable names".

These are vices that the president and his allies have consistently accused Gachagua of. His remarks may have offered the clearest explanation yet of why his once-close political partnership with Gachagua collapsed and why, despite his willingness to work with other opposition figures, he does not see the former DP as a possible partner.

"I am a democrat, you know, and in Kenya, people work with everybody," Dr Ruto said. "I would, how- ever, be reluctant to work with any leader who does not share the tenet of nationality, of the unity of the nation. Somebody who believes in ethnic bigotry. Somebody who engages in rhetoric that is divisive, tribal, ethnic, against other people, other Kenyans. Those ones I am not, I cannot work with. I am very clear in my mind."

It is a striking position for a president who has repeatedly presented himself as willing to accommodate former political opponents.

He said their cooperation was possible because they shared fundamental perspectives on the direction of the country and, crucially, because Raila supported efforts to stabilise Kenya during a period of political tension.

2. The Standard

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has told off his successor, President William Ruto, over sustained political attacks against him ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Uhuru warned against attempts to gag his political rights and dismissed Ruto’s claims that he is sponsoring opposition politicians seeking to unseat him.

“We are a democratic society and those democratic ideals were fought for hard by the man we are honouring today,” he said.

Speaking during the 23rd memorial service of the late former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, Uhuru said attempts to restrict political freedom were unconstitutional and risked taking the country backwards.

“Freedom for Kenyans is to be able to elect the leaders they want. I’m here to defend that freedom. Nobody can take away that freedom that was fought for with blood and sweat by our leaders,” he said.

3. The Star

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.