Stop Vilifying Gachagua For Being Candid In Championing The Interests Of Business People In Nairobi
The Mt Kenya Times 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- ODM leader and his brigade thought that this will work because he had used the same strategy in the aftermath of 2007 general election to force President Mwai Kibaki to share his government on 50/50 basis. This is how it earned the name of a nusu mkate government.
- After Ruto unleashed all political cards, Uhuru was left with only one option: To re-look and abandon the initial contents of ‘Handshake deal’, particularly those that many believed had been hidden.
- Contrary to his critics who argued he was disrespecting his boss (a claim he always denied), Ruto had made the best political moves.
Attempts by the government of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to reduce Dr William Ruto to a yes-man and lame duck Deputy President (DP) did not bore the fruits.
This is because the DP come out very strongly and showed them that he was not a pushover.
As the second-in-command, he understood his constitutional duties and he was ready to defend them at all cost.
This would become a big blow to Raila Odinga and his ODM party as he (Ruto) thwarted to thier plans to arm twist and blackmail President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow them to formally join his government.
ODM leader and his brigade thought that this will work because he had used the same strategy in the aftermath of 2007 general election to force President Mwai Kibaki to share his government on 50/50 basis. This is how it earned the name of a nusu mkate government.
After Ruto unleashed all political cards, Uhuru was left with only one option: To re-look and abandon the initial contents of ‘Handshake deal’, particularly those that many believed had been hidden.
Contrary to his critics who argued he was disrespecting his boss (a claim he always denied), Ruto had made the best political moves.
Having worked closely with Raila and Uhuru, he had studied their strength and weaknesses.
He would capitalize on thier weaknesses to endear himself to masses. For four years, he kept the fire burning and this paid out when he was finally elected as fifth President of Kenya.
Since Dr Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua took the oath of office, I have been watching DP’s political moves with keen interests and it seems he is also following some of the footprints of his boss.
Gachagua is however doing this with a lot of caution because he does not want his actions to be misinterpreted to mean fighting or disrespecting President Ruto.
He has reiterating that their working chemistry is very cordial.
In recognsation of my constitutional role as his Principal Assistant, the President assigned me some duties.
My first priority is to do this job in a professional and diligent manner so as to satisfy him.
But this would not make Gachagua lose sight of the fact that he was now the senior-most political leader in Mount Kenya region.
As such, the journey he started moment after taking the oath of office is still on course.
He started by directing his missiles at the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta who was at Kasarani Sports Ground to handover the instruments of power to his successor, William Ruto.
With this, his bid to dislodge Uhuru as the kingpin of the Mountain had started in earnest.
A few days later, Gachagua revealed his plans to unite the leaders from this region. Politics is over and so the issue of whether you in Kenya Kwanza or Azimio should not arise.
As leaders, we must work together so as to champion the interest of our people.
The leaders from other regions are also doing the same.
The DP would however ask those in Azimio to cross the floor and support the government of President Ruto.
His efforts would immediately start to bear fruit and this would be seen when he used his mobilization skills to rally Kenya Kwanza MPs behind the candidature of former Kieni MP Kanini Kega for the position of East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA).
He also ensured two more people from Mt Kenya were elected to serve in the same capacity.
One of them was however asked to step aside to pave the way for gender representation. Of 9 members, two hailed from the Mountain.
Lately, Gachagua has once again found himself sailing on turbulent waters.
It all started when he called out the Governor of Nairobi Johnston Sakaja.
The business people in city particularly those operating Matatu business within the Nairobi CBD are not happy. This is because your administration has given them a notice to vacate from their terminus.
Go slow on this matter. Remember these are the people who elected you. Most of them hailed from Mt Kenya and I’m the one who mobilized them to vote for you.
After his election, Governor Sakaja comes out publicly to thank the Kikuyus. You gave me a strong back-up that enabled me to become the governor of this great city. Thank you.
Reacting to those interpreting Gachagua’s remarks as meant to fight him and interfere with his work, Sakaja stated a few days ago.
DP is my boss and I respect him. He raised legitimate issues and we are looking at them. The DP had invited him to his office to present the grievances of business people and iron out the matter.
A few days earlier, the Governor had ordered closing of the noisy bars and clubs and immediate cancellation of licences of those that defied the orders.
Majority of these clubs were being owned and operated by people from the Mountain. So this would be interpreted as targeting them.
As I conclude, allow me to say this. Kikuyus abandoned then President Uhuru, thier son, because of failing to champion and protect their interests. Gachagua does not want to go down that route.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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