DCP puts Ruto on the spot over Gachagua claims, State spending

The Democratic Congress Party (DCP) has put President William Ruto’s administration on the spot over allegations surrounding public spending, government procurement and businesses allegedly linked to people in power, demanding clear evidence to show which claims are false and which are true. Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, DCP Secretary-General and Nyandarua Senator John Methu said Kenyans were entitled to a detailed account of how public resources had been managed during Ruto’s four years in office. Methu particularly challenged the government to respond to allegations raised by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, arguing that his previous position in the administration should not be used as a reason to dismiss his claims. He asked the government to point out specific allegations made by Gachagua that were untrue and provide evidence to support its position. “Of the specific allegations made by His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua concerning government expenditure, procurement, and businesses allegedly associated with those in power, which allegation is false? Identify it and provide the evidence,” Methu said. The remarks come amid a growing dispute over claims made by Gachagua concerning the use of public funds under the Ruto administration. Gachagua has alleged that Sh6.2 billion was allocated in the 2025/26 Supplementary Budget to State House, the Office of the Deputy President, Internal Security and the National Intelligence Service. He has also raised questions over the government-to-government oil arrangement, alleging a Sh500 million irregularity linked to a Sh4 billion substandard-fuel importation scheme. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations dismissed the claims as sensational, while the United Democratic Alliance accused Gachagua of defending officials implicated in the fuel controversy. Gachagua has separately alleged that Sh7.3 billion was irregularly transferred from the Fuel Levy Fund in connection with the cancelled Rironi-Mau road project. Methu said the former deputy president’s previous role should instead make his allegations subject to closer scrutiny, arguing that his experience inside government gave weight to the questions he had raised. He said the debate should focus on the evidence behind the allegations rather than Gachagua’s political history or relationship with the current administration. “The question is not whether he was there. The question is, is what he is saying true or false?” Methu said. The DCP also widened its criticism to the government’s economic record, saying claims about economic growth should be matched with evidence of improvements in the lives of ordinary Kenyans. Methu argued that the government should demonstrate whether its policies and spending had translated into better financial conditions for households, businesses and farmers. “Kenyans don’t eat speeches. Kenyans hold money in their pockets. The economy must be felt in people’s pockets, in their homes, shops, farms, and workplaces.” The party questioned whether Kenyans were saving more, taking home more of their earnings after taxes and whether businesses and farmers were making more money under the current administration. It also asked whether fewer families were being forced to borrow money to meet their basic consumption needs. “The discussion of Mr. Ruto at four is not a Rigathi versus Ruto’s MPs. This is a government being asked to account to the people of Kenya for the four years of his four years in office,” Methu said. The DCP said it wanted the government to produce a clear scorecard showing what had been achieved against the promises made by President Ruto during the 2022 election campaign. The party maintained that the assessment of the administration should be based on measurable results, including how public money has been spent and the impact of government policies on Kenyans, rather than political exchanges between rival camps. Methu said the questions raised by the DCP remained unanswered and called on the government to provide detailed explanations and evidence on the management of public resources.