Devki Group Allegedly Imported Fake Fertilizer, Repackaged Russian Donation, Claims Gachagua

In a series of explosive allegations, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Attorney General Justin Muturi have accused President William Ruto and his close associates of engaging in shady foreign dealings that undermine Kenya’s national interests for personal gain. Among the claims are the importation of counterfeit fertilizer and the repackaging of donated Russian and Algerian fertilizer, which was allegedly sold to Kenyan farmers at a profit.

Gachagua, in a revealing interview with KTN on Monday evening, labeled Ruto the “high priest of corruption” and “chief procurement officer,” accusing him of coercing state officials into facilitating corrupt schemes. He alleged that 40,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer donated by Russia and 30,000 metric tonnes from Algeria—intended to be distributed to farmers for free—were instead handed over to Maisha Minerals Limited, a subsidiary of Devki Group owned by Ruto’s business associate, Narendra Raval. According to Gachagua, the fertilizer was blended with fake products and sold to the government at Sh4,000 per unit.

“Maisha Minerals repackaged the donated fertilizer as Mavuno Fertilizer and supplied it through Mappings Company,” Gachagua claimed. “A report by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) exposing this was shelved because it implicated Ruto. I have documents to back these allegations.”

Meanwhile, Muturi alleged that he thwarted a Sh129 billion tree-planting deal with Russian oligarchs, which he claims Ruto pressured him to approve. He further stated that during Ruto’s visit to India—where the controversial Adani business dealings were initiated—the President traveled on a private jet provided by Devki Group chairman Narendra Raval. Muturi said Ruto’s aides briefed him on the Russian fertilizer deal during this trip.

Gachagua’s Broader Accusations

Gachagua revisited his fallout with Ruto, claiming tensions emerged a month after they took office when the President reneged on agreements regarding government appointments. “I pleaded with him to retain principal secretaries from Mt Kenya and Rift Valley, but he retained five from his region and only one from mine. That’s when I realized he is deceptive and tribal,” Gachagua said. He recounted how Ruto insulted him when confronted, asserting his authority as the appointing power.

The former deputy president also accused Ruto of tolerating corruption among his inner circle. He claimed Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet, demanded money from individuals seeking meetings with him, a practice Gachagua resisted. “The President told me he had no problem with Farouk making a little money, but I refused to be controlled by a junior officer,” he said.

Gachagua further alleged that Dennis Itumbi, Ruto’s chief propagandist, sought to dictate his public messaging, a move he rejected. “Itumbi has a private arrangement with the President. He’d interrupt my meetings with Ruto, claiming time was up—a scheme to harass me,” he added.

On corruption, Gachagua cited an incident in Naivasha where Ruto allegedly pressured Muturi to approve the purchase of 11,000 acres of Kedong Ranch for an industrial park using the Settlement Trustee Fund. “Muturi refused, saying the fund was for settling people, not commercial projects. Ruto called him indisciplined and asked me to warn him, but I supported Muturi,” Gachagua said.

Foreign Ties and Regional Politics

Gachagua also questioned Ruto’s foreign policy decisions, alleging that the President’s recognition of Kosovo as an independent state was driven by commercial interests, including a hotel in Mombasa co-owned with Kosovo’s president. He further claimed Ruto has business ties with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan and has met with M23 rebel officials engaged in conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “The international community should investigate these relationships,” he urged.

Commenting on Ruto’s recent tour of the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua dismissed the large crowds as hired attendees. “People were paid to show up. I even participated in mobilizing when I saw money being poured in, but Ruto shouldn’t mistake crowds for support. The region despises betrayal and abandoned him long ago,” he said.

Ruto Responds

The allegations come a week after President Ruto addressed his strained relationship with Gachagua in a March 31, 2025, interview. Ruto said tensions arose shortly after taking office due to Gachagua’s frequent clashes with junior officials, including Itumbi, Kibet, and MPs like Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichung’wah. “He dragged the administration into unnecessary confrontations over petty issues,” Ruto said. “I asked him why a Deputy President was quarrelling with bloggers and assistants instead of focusing on delivery.”

Ruto also criticized Gachagua for failing to promote government projects publicly. “When I served under Uhuru Kenyatta, I was always highlighting development programs. Gachagua never spoke about roads, electricity, or Universal Health Coverage even once in two years,” he said.

Conflicting Bribery Claims

Gachagua refuted Ruto’s claim that he demanded a Sh10 billion bribe, pointing to inconsistencies in the administration’s narrative. “Itumbi said I asked for Sh6.5 billion, Ichung’wah claimed Sh4 billion, and now Ruto says Sh10 billion. Even lies need consistency,” he quipped. He argued that if he wanted money, he would have demanded it early in the administration, noting, “It’s a public secret that I funded his campaigns, which is why he chose me as his running mate.”

As these allegations unfold, they paint a picture of deep divisions within Kenya’s leadership, raising questions about governance, accountability, and the integrity of public resources.