Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sharply criticized President William Ruto over his repeated emphasis on education, questioning the authenticity of his academic achievements.
Speaking in Nyeri County on Saturday, September 13, Gachagua accused the President of using his claimed educational background to undermine others while failing to provide verifiable evidence of his own credentials.
Gachagua told residents that Ruto should stop boasting about being highly educated and instead focus on proving the legitimacy of his academic papers, including his PhD.
“I have seen Ruto claiming that he is very educated and that I am not learned. He pretends to be well educated, but he lies, and he is also mismanaging the country,” he said.
The former Deputy President argued that the problems Kenya faces under Ruto’s leadership contradict the image of a well-educated leader.
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader further alleged that Ruto’s education records could not be trusted because the qualities expected from someone claiming such academic stature were not evident in his governance.
According to Gachagua, issues like rising living costs, unemployment, and economic mismanagement indicate a lack of competence that cannot be hidden behind academic titles.
The comments from Gachagua followed a recent address by President Ruto to over 10,000 teachers at State House, Nairobi, where he described himself as the most educated President in Kenya’s history.
During the speech, Ruto compared his current deputy, Kithure Kindiki, to Gachagua, implying that surrounding himself with highly intelligent leaders strengthened his administration.
He also referred to a former deputy, indirectly pointing to Gachagua, saying that doubts about his capabilities were raised because of concerns over educational levels.
Gachagua dismissed these remarks, accusing Ruto of using education as political propaganda rather than addressing pressing issues facing ordinary Kenyans.
He emphasized that citizens are more concerned with tangible solutions such as reducing the cost of living, generating employment, and improving governance, rather than hearing repeated claims about academic achievements.
The former Deputy President went further to directly challenge the President to publicly prove how he earned his PhD if it is indeed legitimate.
He described the current focus on academic boasting as a distraction from the real challenges facing the country.
Gachagua also warned that while people might continue to engage with government programs or benefits, this would not translate into political support for Ruto in future elections.
Gachagua has shifted the debate from policy performance to personal credibility, framing it as an issue that affects both public trust and the quality of leadership in Kenya.
His remarks suggest that the discussion on academic qualifications is becoming a central point of contention in the political discourse.This confrontation highlights the growing tension between Gachagua and Ruto, with education and governance serving as key areas of dispute, as citizens continue to watch how these claims and counterclaims unfold.
