DP Rigathi Gachagua: Man in a Political Quagmire

Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua has cautioned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against engaging in a conflict with President William Ruto.

Makau, who characterized President Ruto as a master political strategist, stated that the Deputy President would suffer the most if a dispute arises.

Mutua advised that the best course of action for Gachagua would be to resist any urge to challenge his boss.

"DP Rigathi will fight President William Ruto and lose BIG. He should resist the urge to follow in his boss’s footsteps because his boss isn’t Uhuru Kenyatta. Unlike his boss, Mr Gachagua isn’t a master political strategist, or a genius tactician.  As the late President Moi used to say, atajikaanga na mafuta yake!" Mutua posted on X.

His remarks come amid reports of increasing tensions between the President and his deputy.

The purported silent rift between Ruto and Gachagua has further deepened divisions in the Mount Kenya region.

Allies of the Deputy President now allege that influential individuals within the State House are "sponsoring" young leaders from the region to undermine Gachagua’s authority.

A section of Kenya Kwanza politicians has vowed to ensure that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will serve only one term, similar to his tenure as Mathira MP before President William Ruto selected him as his running mate in the 2022 general elections.

This determination by President Ruto's allies introduces a new conflict within the two-year-old presidency, which is already experiencing a simmering fallout between Gachagua and Ruto, despite their public displays of unity.

Reports have surfaced regarding the cause of the rift between Gachagua and his boss. A Senator from the Mt. Kenya region has been working tirelessly to reconcile the two. Sources told People Daily that this Senator, acting as an intermediary, has arranged for a delegation of elders from Mt. Kenya and Rift Valley to visit State House once the President returns from his USA tour as part of the reconciliation efforts.

Supporters of President Ruto accuse the Deputy President of being a bully and arrogant, collaborating with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, orchestrating the Limuru 3 conference, pushing his one man-one vote-one shilling mantra, and being divisive and undermining other leaders.

Additionally, they allege that the Deputy President has begun backing certain candidates against MPs who are perceived not to be in his camp. They point to his close relationship with former Nyeri town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, whom they claim is working to ensure his own return in 2027.

The faction primarily aligned with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro contends that Gachagua's outspoken remarks are divisive and pose a threat to President Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.

Deputy President Gachagua is encountering increasing opposition within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), despite his assertion that he holds senior leadership within the Mt. Kenya region, implying that he can rally the region's support for President Ruto.

Generational change

However, Ruto's allies, some of whom hold influential positions, are orchestrating what they term as "generational change." This initiative aims to remove Gachagua from the Deputy President's office in the upcoming general election. The proponents of this plan are determined to replace all the old guard, including Gachagua, with a younger generation of leaders.

Gachagua initially invited the political challenges he faces when, last October, he asserted that the Kenya Kwanza government is essentially a shareholders' entity belonging to the people who predominantly voted for it, particularly from the central and Rift Valley regions.

Subsequently, during a tour of Siaya county, an opposition stronghold, Ruto distanced himself from Gachagua's remarks on shareholding, labeling them as archaic and regressive. He emphasized that it is outdated to suggest that any region of Kenya should be deprived of development based on electoral outcomes.

These exchanges marked the first public disagreement between the two.

Over the past two months, Deputy President Gachagua has found himself on uncertain footing as politicians aligned with President Ruto persistently challenge his authority as the second-in-command.

Leaders who spoke anonymously accused the Deputy President of financing the Limuru 3 meeting, which evolved into an anti-Ruto administration movement and led to the formation of an opposition faction known as the Haki Coalition.

They alleged that Gachagua and former President Uhuru Kenyatta have formed an alliance following the Deputy President's public apology for defaming him and former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta during the previous election campaign.

CS Kuria reportedly assured attendees of the Limuru meeting that they would not leave hungry, implying that funds were provided by sponsors of the event.

The legislators claimed that Gachagua is in the final stages of establishing his own political party, which he intends to lead into the 2027 elections.

Gachagua's recent push for the implementation of the one-man, one-vote, one-shilling formula for sharing national revenue has stirred controversy within the UDA leadership, with accusations that he is fueling ethnic politics. "We are advocating for one man, one vote, one shilling, but some of our leaders are not for it. These are traitors who are being used by outsiders to divide us," Gachagua defended himself on Tuesday.

Despite causing a stir last week by disappearing from the public eye for seven days, Gachagua has maintained his calls for unity among the residents of Mt. Kenya.

However, on Sunday, the State House denied any conflict between the President and the Deputy President.

“To the best of my knowledge, there is no issue between the President and his Deputy,” State House, spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said.

“The Deputy President’s office is an office with all capabilities and competencies. If you want to ask any question or find out anything about the Deputy President, you can get it there.”

On Tuesday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that certain individuals are being used to divide Mount Kenya. He did not disclose the identities of these individuals or the person sponsoring their divisive efforts.

“For those who want to be used to divide us, continue, but our people are wise, and they can see what is happening and when the right time comes for people to make a judgement, that's when those being used will know that the people of Mount Kenya are wise enough,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua's absence from key state functions has raised eyebrows among Kenyans, as it is uncharacteristic of him.

However, Gachagua made a public appearance on Sunday when he attended a church service in Nyeri. Later, he was present to see off President Ruto as he departed for his state visit to the United States.

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