Gachagua Makes U-Turn, Admits Kenya Kwanza Found Some Funds in Treasury

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a surprising reversal from his earlier stance, admitting that the Kenya Kwanza administration did not inherit completely empty coffers when it assumed office in September 2022.

Speaking during an interview with media personality Oga Obinna on May 16, 2025, Gachagua acknowledged that while the economy was under strain, the Treasury had some funds to support basic government operations.

“To a certain extent, yes, we found empty coffers, but there was enough to get the country started. There was not a surplus or abundance, but there was enough money to get the country back on its feet,” he said.

This statement sharply contrasts with Gachagua’s earlier remarks made during the inauguration of President William Ruto in 2022, when he declared that the incoming government had found the Treasury empty. At the time, Gachagua colorfully claimed that they had not found “even a rat” in the national coffers, placing blame squarely on former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration for leaving behind a debt-ridden and inflated economy.

“We have talked to the Treasury, and the coffers are empty. We will have to start from scratch,” he had said during the swearing-in ceremony at Kasarani Stadium.

Gachagua’s revised narrative raises questions about the transparency of the financial transition between administrations. While he did not offer a reason for the change in position, analysts suggest the move may be part of a broader political strategy aimed at regaining traction in the Mount Kenya region.

The former DP recently launched the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), a political vehicle he hopes will help him consolidate support in the region. The Mount Kenya bloc overwhelmingly supported Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 elections, rejecting overtures from Uhuru Kenyatta.

As the political landscape continues to shift ahead of the next general elections, Gachagua’s latest remarks may serve to soften his image and align himself with a more reconciliatory and pragmatic stance on Kenya’s economic recovery.

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Gachagua Makes U-Turn, Admits Kenya Kwanza Found Some Funds in Treasury