Riggy G has accused President William Ruto of jetting out of Kenya in an ultra-luxury private jet even after being warned about major protests and a transport standstill that would bring the country to a halt. Speaking from Britain on May 19, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua delivered a fiery address packed with vivid details and sharp criticism.
“When the country is burning, despite having been properly briefed on the problems and Kenya will come to a standstill, he left on an overseas trip in a private jet,” Gachagua said. He described the plane as one of the most luxurious in the world.
“I am told it is the most luxurious in the world, where you are paying 5 million shillings per hour. That jet that he left with is the epitome of luxury. With a full bedroom and massage parlour, spa with jacuzzi, steam, and sauna. And a massage parlour has four girls from Seychelles. He’s enjoying when Kenyans are struggling in the air.”
The comments hit hard as fuel prices shot up on May 15, pushing petrol above 214 shillings a litre in many areas. Matatu operators responded with a strike from May 18, leaving roads empty in places like Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret. Clashes broke out in some spots, and many workers had to walk long distances under the hot sun.
Luxury Details Spark Strong Reactions
Gachagua did not stop at the jet description. He painted a clear picture of contrast between life at the top and the daily grind below. His words spread quickly, with many Kenyans sharing clips and voicing their own frustrations in markets and on social media.
In Nakuru, where the strike bit deepest, one young matatu conductor Maina shook his head while standing near parked vehicles. “We are suffering here, walking in the sun, and they tell us the big man is relaxing with everything on the plane. It does not sit well,” he said.
Defenders of the president pushed back quickly. They noted that the trip included stops in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to open doors for Kenyan tea and flower exports. Some called Gachagua’s account exaggerated, especially the part about the Seychelles crew, and pointed out that past leaders also travelled comfortably. Others reminded listeners that Gachagua himself enjoyed similar arrangements when he held office.
Deeper Grievances in the Speech
The luxury jet formed only one piece of Gachagua’s wider message. He went on to list several issues that have angered many citizens. “He killed their children. Abducted them. He has ruined the economy. He’s run down all the businesses. Has taken over every business in the country. Banking, insurance, hospitality, aviation, medical, and education. He is running in competition with Kenyan people for businesses’, the former deputy claimed.
He also addressed the tribal angle head-on. “Nobody has any problem with a coalition nation,” Gachagua said, referring to the president’s community.
“When the people of Kenya elected William Ruto as president, they knew he was a colossus. People are having an issue with William Ruto because he isn’t competent. And it’s not what he promised to be.”
The speech has split the country. Supporters of Gachagua, who now leads the Democratic Congress Party, see it as straight talk from someone no longer afraid to speak out. Critics call it political drama designed to score points and stir emotions ahead of future contests.
Online, the mention of “four girls from Seychelles” turned into memes within hours, with some laughing and others questioning the source of such specific information.
Gachagua’s address from Britain has added fresh heat to already tense relations between him and his former boss. As Kenya moves through these difficult days, his words have given voice to frustrations that many carry every single day.
