Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Excluded from President Ruto's Inner Circle: Growing Rift in Kenya's Top Leadership

In a startling development that signals potential cracks within Kenya's highest office, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come forward with claims of being systematically excluded from President William Ruto’s inner circle. Gachagua, who served as a key ally during the 2022 election campaign, revealed that he has been kicked out of critical channels of communication, including the president's official WhatsApp group, making it difficult for him to coordinate presidential functions and contribute to key government activities.

This exclusion, according to Gachagua, stems from individuals within President Ruto's close-knit circle who are actively working to create a wedge between the two leaders. “The people around the president are making me look bad in front of him,” Gachagua alleged, indicating that this isolation has made it difficult for him to function in his role as the deputy president. He lamented that this was not only affecting his responsibilities but also jeopardizing the once-strong working relationship he had with Ruto.

Despite the challenges, the deputy president has remained vocal about his dedication to fulfilling his duties. In his public remarks, he emphasized that he had personally asked President Ruto to allow him to carry out his functions without interference. Gachagua also urged the president to refrain from using public resources for meetings that appear to be aimed at undermining his work, hinting at a broader struggle within the corridors of power.

“I have no problem with doing my job. I only ask the president to let me work and not to waste public money on meetings whose sole purpose is to frustrate me,” Gachagua remarked, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged attempts to sideline him from the president's core agenda.

Growing Concerns Over Broad-Based Government

Although Gachagua has publicly expressed support for the broad-based government initiative that President Ruto has been championing, he has voiced reservations about how it could potentially be used against him. The initiative, which aims to broaden the base of government by bringing more stakeholders and political players into the fold, has raised Gachagua's concerns about its true purpose.

He suggested that this broadening of government could be used to rally parliamentary support for a potential move to impeach him. “While I support the idea of a broad-based government, I believe it might be manipulated to gather the necessary numbers in Parliament to impeach me,” Gachagua said, hinting at a growing unease about the motivations behind the initiative.

This fear of impeachment signals deeper fractures within the government, with Gachagua implying that there could be a concerted effort to politically isolate him. Such developments could lead to a showdown between Kenya’s deputy president and the political elites surrounding President Ruto, potentially destabilizing the unity of the administration.

Absence of a Formal Understanding with President Ruto

One of the most striking revelations in Gachagua's remarks was his admission that he does not have any formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with President Ruto regarding their roles or working relationship. This lack of a formal agreement has raised eyebrows within political circles, particularly considering how critical Gachagua was to Ruto’s electoral success.

While the deputy president himself has expressed no regret over the absence of a formal MOU, individuals close to him have suggested that this may have been a strategic oversight. According to those within Gachagua’s camp, the lack of a clear framework governing the relationship between him and the president leaves him vulnerable to political machinations by those seeking to weaken his influence in government.

“I don’t regret not having an MOU with the president,” Gachagua said, although some of his political allies have hinted that this could have been a miscalculation that may now be contributing to his political difficulties.

Political Repercussions

The public airing of these grievances signals a significant turning point in Kenya's political landscape. Gachagua, who has built a reputation as a staunch defender of the Ruto administration, is now facing increasing isolation from the president's inner circle, and his warnings about impeachment suggest that internal conflicts could escalate into a more public power struggle.

The potential fallout from these revelations could have far-reaching implications for the Kenyan government. The strain between President Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua, if left unresolved, may lead to broader political instability. Moreover, Gachagua’s remarks about a coordinated effort to undermine his position could trigger a realignment of political forces, both within the government and in the opposition.

As this situation unfolds, political analysts and the public will be watching closely to see how President Ruto responds. Will he move to heal the rift between him and his deputy, or will this represent the beginning of a long-term power struggle that could destabilize the government?

The relationship between Kenya's president and his deputy has historically been delicate, as seen in past administrations, and Gachagua's revelations suggest that this administration is no exception. With both the president and deputy president playing critical roles in steering the country's future, any lasting discord between them could have wide-reaching consequences for governance and political stability in Kenya.

Fanuel Musotsi