Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s absence from key events alongside President William Ruto on October 2 has heightened speculation about the growing rift between the two leaders, as well as the future of Gachagua’s political career.
The divide between the president and his deputy became more apparent when Gachagua was conspicuously missing from the opening of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2024 at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, and a State House meeting with East African Community officials.
This public ‘discord’ came a day after the formal tabling of an impeachment motion against Gachagua in the National Assembly, backed by 291 MPs across different political divides.
President Ruto, who returned to Kenya after attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the U.S., has maintained a notable silence on the impeachment debate. His refusal to address the matter has led many to conclude that he may be quietly supporting the ouster of his deputy.
Gachagua himself has accused President Ruto of being behind the impeachment plot, stating that such a move could not proceed without his approval. This marks a significant turning point in the once-strong partnership between the two leaders.
“There is no motion of impeachment against the deputy president that can find itself on the floor of the house unless the President gives a nod,” Gachagua said in a recent interview with Citizen TV.
Their division has been visible for weeks, with Gachagua also skipping a significant church service in Nyeri, his home county, on September 15, leaving his reserved seat vacant for hours before it was occupied by Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina Mathenge. Instead, Gachagua attended an event in Kirinyaga County, further fueling rumors of a political fallout.
While the impeachment process against Gachagua gains momentum, Ruto’s continued silence has allowed the legislature to lead the charge. As Gachagua’s political fate hangs in the balance, the once-united front of the presidency now appears fractured, raising questions about the future of their alliance and the internal dynamics of the government.
