Kenya’s Politics Turns to ‘Mr Texas’ and ‘Mr Taxes’ as Ruto, Gachagua Trade Barbs | Dawan Africa

Kenya, 10 November 2026 – Gloves are off. On Tuesday, President William Ruto and his political friend-turned-foe Rigathi Gachagua resorted to name-calling, with the head of state claiming that his former deputy is a troublesome individual who is not interested in the unity of Kenya.

Speaking in Kisii during a development tour, President Ruto said Gachagua is a greenhorn politician who cannot teach him a lesson, as he had claimed.

“That guy (Gachagua) is a one-term MP, a rabble rouser who has no idea. Let us embrace unity and ignore him,” President Ruto said.

The head of state went further, claiming that Gachagua is an extortionist and a leader who is keen to sabotage young and upcoming leaders. Ruto said he is ready to mentor young leaders, not sabotage them.

“You heard him recently claim that when things go bad in Kenya, he will move to Texas in the US, where he bought a parcel of land,” Dr Ruto said.

Shortly afterwards, Gachagua fired back, referring to President Ruto as “Mr Taxes”. He claimed that Ruto was insincere in his remarks, pointing to the lives lost during the Gen Z protests in 2024.

Gachagua alleged that the current administration was behind the killing of youth who were agitating for governance change and fair taxes, rather than the punitive taxes allegedly contained in the Finance Bill, 2024, and during the Saba Saba protests in 2025.