15 May 2022
Ruto names Gachagua as running mate
At his Karen residence in Nairobi, Ruto named Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate for the August 2022 election.
“A fantastic grassroots mobiliser.”William Ruto, The Star (Kenya)
Rivalry
How the Ruto and Gachagua split unfolded
William Ruto chose Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate in 2022, and the pair won the presidency. After a public break in 2024, Parliament impeached and removed Gachagua, and his court challenges have so far failed to reverse the removal, although the High Court found his fair trial rights were infringed. Gachagua now leads his own party and says he will run against Ruto in 2027.
15 May 2022 to today · 26 dated events · 34 sources
Where it stands now · as of 31 October 2026
Gachagua's removal stands after the High Court declined to quash it on June 8, 2026, while awarding him Ksh50 million in damages, and he has appealed to the Court of Appeal. He leads the Democracy for Citizens Party and is among those discussed as a single opposition candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
VS
🇰🇪 Side B
Rigathi Gachagua
Former deputy president of Kenya, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party
Photo: Luis Tato / European Union, 2023 / EC - Audiovisual Service, CC BY 4.0 (source)
7 : 9Moves recorded
3 : 6Statement
3 : 1Leadership
1 : 0Start
0 : 1Filing
Overview · 15 May 2022 to Oct 2026 · click a dot to jump
2022
5 Sep 2022
Supreme Court upholds Ruto's election
Kenya's Supreme Court unanimously rejected challenges to the presidential results and affirmed Ruto's narrow win.
13 Sep 2022
Ruto and Gachagua sworn in
Ruto was sworn in as president and Gachagua as deputy president at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in Nairobi, according to notices and a report published in the Kenya Gazette by the Assumption of the Office of President Committee.
· · · 21 months later
2024
25 Jun 2024
Protesters storm Parliament over Finance Bill
Protesters broke through barricades and entered Parliament after MPs passed the Finance Bill 2024 by 195 votes to 106. Several protesters were shot dead, The Star reported.
26 Jun 2024
Ruto says he will not sign the Finance Bill
A day after calling the storming of Parliament treasonous, Ruto said he would not assent to the Finance Bill.
26 Jun 2024
Turning point
Gachagua blames intelligence chief for protests
At his Mombasa residence, Gachagua said the National Intelligence Service had failed to warn the president and called on its director general, Noordin Haji, to resign. He later said this press conference ended his working relationship with Ruto.
“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the President, the government and the people of Kenya.”Rigathi Gachagua, The Star (Kenya)
Jul 2024
Ruto dismisses most of his cabinet
After nationwide protests over tax increases in which more than 50 people were killed, Ruto dismissed most of his cabinet and brought in members of the main opposition, Al Jazeera reported.
Oct 2024
Gachagua vows to fight impeachment motion
After allies of Ruto's coalition began impeachment proceedings, Gachagua said he believed the motion had the president's approval and filed a court petition to halt it. Ruto did not comment publicly.
“I will fight to the end”Rigathi Gachagua, Al Jazeera
8 Oct 2024
Turning point
National Assembly impeaches Gachagua
MPs voted 282 to 44, with one abstention, to approve a special motion to remove Gachagua from office by impeachment, more than the two-thirds required, according to the official Hansard. The motion, moved by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, set out 11 grounds. Gachagua denied the charges.
“Search your conscience and decide whether Rigathi Gachagua is guilty of any of these allegations, or if he is undergoing a political process.”Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly of Kenya
17 Oct 2024
Turning point
Senate removes Gachagua from office
The Senate voted on each of the 11 grounds and upheld five, covering gross violation of the Constitution (54 to 13), the independence of judges (51 to 16), his oath of office (49 to 16), alleged offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act (48 to 18) and alleged public attacks on the National Intelligence Service (46 to 20). The Speaker declared that Gachagua ceased to hold office. He had been taken to hospital with chest pains and did not testify, and his lawyers withdrew after senators declined an adjournment.
18 Oct 2024
Parliament approves Ruto's pick Kindiki
Ruto named Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki to succeed Gachagua within hours of the Senate vote, and Parliament confirmed the nomination on October 18.
18 Oct 2024
Three-judge bench set up for Gachagua's petitions
Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu assigned petitions challenging the impeachment to a three-judge High Court bench of Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi. Gachagua and his supporters filed more than 30 cases, The Star reported.
31 Oct 2024
High Court lifts orders blocking Kindiki
The Ogola-led bench refused conservatory orders and set aside orders issued in Kerugoya on October 18, which news reports said had blocked Kindiki's swearing-in. The Court of Appeal the same day declined to halt the bench's proceedings, The Standard reported.
1 Nov 2024
Kindiki sworn in as deputy president
Kindiki took the oath of office at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
2025
22 Jan 2025
Ruto speaks of removals for incompetence
At an event in Luanda, Vihiga County, Ruto criticised tribalism and incompetence in remarks that Citizen Digital described as a veiled reference to Gachagua. He did not name him.
“We have no time for tribalists and people who are incompetent.”William Ruto, Citizen Digital
4 Feb 2025
Gachagua says Ruto offered him money to resign
In an interview, Gachagua claimed Ruto had offered him Sh2 billion to resign before the impeachment. No response from Ruto was reported.
31 Mar 2025
Ruto says Gachagua demanded Sh10 billion
In an interview at Sagana State Lodge, Ruto said Gachagua had asked for Sh10 billion and threatened to make him a one-term president. He said he had twice tried to persuade MPs not to table the impeachment motion.
“I refused when he asked me for Sh10 billion.”William Ruto, Capital FM (Kenya)
1 Apr 2025
Gachagua calls Ruto's account a lie
Gachagua rejected Ruto's account in a post on X.
“I am now convinced more than ever before, that pathological lying is a mental disorder.”Rigathi Gachagua, Capital FM (Kenya)
9 May 2025
Court of Appeal says bench was wrongly empanelled
A Court of Appeal bench led by Justice Daniel Musinga quashed the Deputy Chief Justice's orders assigning three of the petitions to the Ogola bench, holding that only the Chief Justice can empanel such a bench, and sent them to Chief Justice Martha Koome. It found no bias by the three judges.
15 May 2025
Gachagua launches the Democracy for Citizens Party
Gachagua unveiled the Democracy for Citizens Party at an event in Lavington, Nairobi, and was named its leader.
10 Aug 2025
Gachagua dates his break with Ruto to June 2024
Speaking to diaspora supporters in the United States, Gachagua said the two had not spoken since his June 26, 2024 press conference and cited the government's handling of protests as the final break.
“After that day, we were not able to speak again.”Rigathi Gachagua, People Daily (Kenya)
13 Sep 2025
Gachagua declares 2027 presidential bid
In Murang'a, Gachagua told supporters he would run for president in 2027. Africanews noted his impeachment would have to be overturned in court for the bid to be legally viable.
“I have returned to announce that I have agreed to run for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya.”Rigathi Gachagua, Africanews
2026
30 Jan 2026
Supreme Court declines to halt High Court cases
A five-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome dismissed Gachagua's application to halt the High Court proceedings, holding that it had no power to stay them. It also dismissed a National Assembly application to strike out his cross-appeal.
“this Court lacks jurisdiction to grant an order of stay of proceedings before the High Court”Supreme Court of Kenya, Supreme Court of Kenya (Kenya Law)
8 Jun 2026
Turning point
High Court upholds Gachagua's removal
Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi declined to quash the Senate's resolution removing Gachagua. They declared that his fair trial rights were infringed when the Senate refused an adjournment in his absence, awarded him Ksh50 million in constitutional damages payable by the Senate and said Parliament needs a dedicated law on impeaching a deputy president.
“The prayer seeking to quash the resolution of the senate to impeach H.E. Gachagua is hereby declined.”High Court of Kenya, High Court of Kenya (Kenya Law)
Jun 2026
Gachagua appeals the High Court judgment
Gachagua filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the rights violations the High Court found should have invalidated his removal. Citizen Digital reported that he did not challenge the damages award.
Oct 2026
Opposition narrows its 2027 contenders
Gachagua hosted leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri. Citizen Digital reported that the talks identified Kalonzo Musyoka, Edwin Sifuna and Gachagua as the main contenders to be a single opposition candidate, to be named next year.
In their own words
Exact quotes, side by sideRuto's claim that Gachagua demanded Sh10 billion
William Ruto
“I refused when he asked me for Sh10 billion.”
31 March 2025 · Capital FM (Kenya)
Rigathi Gachagua
“I am now convinced more than ever before, that pathological lying is a mental disorder.”
1 April 2025 · Capital FM (Kenya)
Background
Key facts
| Running mates | Named May 15, 2022 |
| Sworn in | September 13, 2022, Kasarani, Nairobi |
| National Assembly vote | 282 for, 44 against, 1 abstention (October 8, 2024, per Hansard) |
| Senate verdict | Removed on 5 of 11 grounds (October 17, 2024) |
| Successor | Kithure Kindiki, sworn in November 1, 2024 |
| High Court judgment | Removal not quashed, Ksh50 million damages awarded (June 8, 2026) |
| Current case | Appeal pending at the Court of Appeal |
Related timelines
Sources
34 records, ranked by type- 1News report15 May 2022Ruto's full statement on Rigathi pick as his running mateThe Star (Kenya) · the-star.co.ke
- 2News report5 Sep 2022Kenya's Supreme Court upholds Ruto's narrow presidential wintheGrio · thegrio.com
- 3News report26 Jun 2024You failed the President, Gachagua tells NIS boss Noordin HajiThe Star (Kenya) · the-star.co.ke
- 4News report8 Oct 2024Kenya lawmakers vote to impeach Deputy President Rigathi GachaguaAl Jazeera · aljazeera.com
- 5News report8 Oct 2024DP Gachagua impeached by National AssemblyThe Star (Kenya) · the-star.co.ke
- 6News report17 Oct 2024Kenya's Parliament removes the deputy president from office in an impeachment trialKSAT (Associated Press) · ksat.com
- 7News report17 Oct 2024Kenya impeaches deputy president over corruption, undermining governmentAl Jazeera · aljazeera.com
- 8News report17 Oct 2024Courts last hope for impeached, hospitalised GachaguaCapital FM (Kenya) · capitalfm.co.ke
- 9News report1 Nov 2024Kenya's Kithure Kindiki sworn in as deputy president after court challengeAl Jazeera · aljazeera.com
- 10News report31 Oct 2024Court clears path for Kithure Kindiki's swearing-in as DPThe Standard (Kenya) · standardmedia.co.ke
- 11News report30 Jan 2026Kenya: Supreme Court Rejects Gachagua's Bid to Block Impeachment Case Before Ogola BenchAllAfrica · allafrica.com
- 12News report22 Jan 2025'Incompetent, corrupt and tribal': President Ruto fires at GachaguaCitizen Digital · citizen.digital
- 13News report4 Feb 2025Kenya: Gachagua Claims Ruto Offered Him U.S.$15 Million to Resign Before ImpeachmentAllAfrica · allafrica.com
- 14News report1 Apr 2025Gachagua fires back at Ruto, calls President a pathological liarCapital FM (Kenya) · capitalfm.co.ke
- 15News report1 Apr 2025'Not me,' Ruto denies initiating plan to impeach GachaguaThe Standard (Kenya) · thestandard.ke
- 16News report9 May 2025Reprieve for Gachagua as court says ouster case wrongly assignedThe Star (Kenya) · the-star.co.ke
- 17News report15 May 2025Gachagua Launches DCP Party, Appoints Cleophas Malala Interim Deputy LeaderKenyans.co.ke · kenyans.co.ke
- 18News report10 Aug 2025Gachagua: Mombasa press conference marked end of my relationship with RutoPeople Daily (Kenya) · peopledaily.digital
- 19News report15 Sep 2025Former Kenya's deputy president declares bid to oust President William Ruto in 2027Africanews · africanews.com
- 20News report8 Jun 2026High Court Upholds Senate Impeachment of Rigathi GachaguaKenyans.co.ke · kenyans.co.ke
- 21News report8 Jun 2026Gachagua to appeal after court upholds ousterThe Star (Kenya) · the-star.co.ke
- 22News report23 Jun 2026Gachagua moves to Court of Appeal to challenge impeachment rulingCitizen Digital · citizen.digital
- 23News report20 Oct 2026Gachagua, Sifuna, Kalonzo emerge as potential opposition flagbearers for 2027 presidential electionCitizen Digital · citizen.digital
- 24News report30 Jan 2026Supreme Court declines to suspend Gachagua's impeachment casesThe Standard (Kenya) · standardmedia.co.ke
- 25News report1 Nov 2024Kenya's high court clears way for swearing in of Kindiki as Deputy PresidentVOA Africa · voaafrica.com
- 26Official record8 Sep 2022Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXIV-No. 182, Gazette Notices No. 10538 and 10539 (date and place of the swearing-in ceremonies)Kenya Gazette (via Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 27Official record28 Oct 2022Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXIV-No. 228 (report of the Assumption of the Office of President Committee)Kenya Gazette (via Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 28Official record8 Oct 2024Hansard Report, Tuesday, 8th October 2024 (P)National Assembly of Kenya · parliament.go.ke
- 29Official record17 Oct 2024Senate Hansard, Thursday, 17th October 2024 at 2.30 p.m.Senate of Kenya · parliament.go.ke
- 30Official record17 Oct 2024Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXVI-No. 170, Gazette Notice No. 13400 (removal from office, by impeachment, of the Deputy President)Kenya Gazette (via Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 31Official record31 Oct 2024Gachagua & 40 others v Speaker, National Assembly & 15 others [2024] KEHC 13473 (KLR) (ruling)High Court of Kenya (Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 32Official record9 May 2025Gachagua & 5 others v Maingi & 80 others [2025] KECA 790 (KLR) (judgment)Court of Appeal of Kenya (Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 33Official record30 Jan 2026National Assembly v Gachagua & 66 others [2026] KESC 19 (KLR) (ruling)Supreme Court of Kenya (Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
- 34Official record8 Jun 2026Gachagua & 57 others v Speaker, National Assembly & 35 others [2026] KEHC 8198 (KLR) (judgment)High Court of Kenya (Kenya Law) · kenyalaw.org
Last updated 31 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.