Ruto Throws Subtle Jab at Gachagua Over Gideon Moi Deal, Vows To Work With All Leaders

President William Ruto has firmly defended his new political alliance with KANU party leader Gideon Moi, saying his mission is to unite all leaders across Kenya, no matter their political backgrounds. 

Speaking during a church service in Nairobi on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Ruto said he will not be distracted by critics who question his unity efforts.

The President’s remarks came just a day after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused him of double standards.

Gachagua claimed that Ruto’s meeting with Moi was meant to isolate the Mount Kenya region politically.

Ruto, however, insisted that his main goal is to bring together leaders from every corner of the country to support his economic transformation plan. 

He said that he has already met with 80 percent of Members of Parliament, as well as top leaders like former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Gideon Moi, to discuss ways of working together for Kenya’s growth.

“I have spoken to leaders across the country to explain how we will move Kenya from a third-world country to a first-world country,” Ruto said.

“Unity brings blessings, and I believe when we come together, God will favour our nation.”

Ruto emphasized that his approach to leadership focuses on development rather than politics.

He mentioned that projects such as affordable housing, improved healthcare, and education reforms will only succeed if leaders cooperate and stop fighting one another.

He also dismissed claims that his economic agenda was unrealistic, saying time will prove his critics wrong.

“For years, Kenyans have suffered from poverty and joblessness. It’s time to change that story. Together, we can build a better country,” he added.

On Friday, October 9, Ruto had announced from Kabarak that Gideon Moi’s KANU party had agreed to work with his Kenya Kwanza Alliance under a broader national unity plan. The move immediately sparked political debate across the country.

In response, Gachagua argued that Ruto’s alliance with Moi was being celebrated as unity, yet when he tried to rally the Mount Kenya region, he was branded a tribalist.

“When Kalenjins unite, it’s called peace. When we, the Mount Kenya people, unite, it’s called tribalism. That’s hypocrisy,” Gachagua said during a rally in Embu.

Despite the backlash, Ruto maintained that his partnership with Moi is part of a wider plan to unite Kenyans beyond tribal and political boundaries.