By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- While the impeachment proponents are careful to keep their cards close to their chest, it is becoming increasingly clear that the grievances against Gachagua stem from more than just personality clashes.
- Sources suggest that some of the impeachment proponents feel that Gachagua has become too powerful, overshadowing other senior officials within the Kenya Kwanza administration. This power struggle has reached a boiling point, and for these politicians, removing Gachagua might be the only way to realign power within the coalition.
- As Gachagua stands on the precipice of a political guillotine, one cannot ignore the irony of the situation. This is the same man who was once heralded as the kingmaker, the political general who helped Ruto ascend to the presidency.
In the murky waters of Kenyan politics, where alliances shift like sand in the wind, a storm is gathering that threatens to unsettle the country’s second-highest office. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a man who once stood firmly beside President William Ruto in the 2022 elections, is now facing an imminent impeachment. A growing faction within Kenya Kwanza is crafting a political narrative that could see Gachagua ousted from office before the year closes.
Behind closed doors, night meetings reminiscent of cloak-and-dagger plots have been held, involving key political figures, including some of Gachagua’s former allies. These individuals, whose names are whispered in political corridors, are now orchestrating a plan to table the impeachment motion in Parliament. The pressure has intensified, and the battle lines are being drawn in what could be the most explosive political showdown in recent Kenyan history.
For weeks, rumors have swirled, and whispers of dissatisfaction with Gachagua have grown louder. Those behind the plot, a mixture of disgruntled lawmakers, seem eager to clip the deputy president’s wings before he can soar further. Gachagua’s critics argue that he has become too divisive within the ruling coalition, his relationship with key political figures becoming strained as internal rifts widen. His brash and often blunt leadership style has not sat well with everyone, and the impatience in some quarters of Kenya Kwanza is palpable.
A prominent name that keeps surfacing in these secretive discussions is Cate Waruguru, a former Laikipia County Woman Representative. Waruguru has been vocal in defending Gachagua, warning that those spearheading his impeachment will face political extinction come the 2027 elections. “Wataenda nyumbani,” she declared boldly, promising that any lawmaker who dares push the motion will not stand a chance at re-election. Waruguru is not the only one drawing the battle lines. The impeachment push seems to have revived long-standing feuds within the ruling alliance, exacerbating already existing tensions.
While the impeachment proponents are careful to keep their cards close to their chest, it is becoming increasingly clear that the grievances against Gachagua stem from more than just personality clashes. Sources suggest that some of the impeachment proponents feel that Gachagua has become too powerful, overshadowing other senior officials within the Kenya Kwanza administration. This power struggle has reached a boiling point, and for these politicians, removing Gachagua might be the only way to realign power within the coalition.
As Gachagua stands on the precipice of a political guillotine, one cannot ignore the irony of the situation. This is the same man who was once heralded as the kingmaker, the political general who helped Ruto ascend to the presidency. Now, he finds himself at the mercy of political forces he once helped control. It’s a classic case of the hunter becoming the hunted, and Gachagua’s political future is hanging by a thread.
However, this impeachment bid is not without its challenges. Even though the motion is being prepared for tabling in the National Assembly, there are constitutional hurdles that must be cleared. Impeaching a sitting deputy president requires a solid majority in Parliament, and as much as there is dissatisfaction with Gachagua, there are still staunch defenders of his leadership. The likes of Waruguru, who have promised to rally the base in defense of Gachagua, are preparing for a fierce political fight.
One might wonder why now? Why has the storm gathered so suddenly? The answer, perhaps, lies in the political machinations that have been brewing for months. Gachagua has been known for his tough-talking demeanor, often stepping on the toes of senior political figures. His critics argue that he has alienated key members of the coalition and stoked tensions between the executive and Parliament. Some feel that Gachagua’s leadership style is threatening the unity of Kenya Kwanza, and that his continued stay in office could destabilize the ruling alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
If the impeachment motion is tabled, it could set the stage for one of the most heated political battles in recent memory. Gachagua’s supporters, led by Waruguru, are mobilizing to counter the impeachment narrative, framing the move as a betrayal of the very coalition that put them in power. They argue that Gachagua’s impeachment would destabilize the government and lead to a loss of public trust in the leadership. To them, the push to oust Gachagua is driven by selfish interests rather than any genuine concerns about his leadership.
Yet, the forces behind the impeachment remain steadfast. They are determined to see Gachagua gone, and they have been meticulously building their case against him. Their strategy seems to be centered on portraying the deputy president as a liability to the coalition, a man whose continued stay in office could undermine the very fabric of the Kenya Kwanza administration. For them, the impeachment is not just a political maneuver—it is a necessity.
As the clock ticks towards December, the Kenyan public is watching with bated breath. Will Gachagua survive this political storm, or will the forces aligned against him succeed in their quest to remove him from office? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the political landscape in Kenya is about to change dramatically.
For Gachagua, the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. The man who once stood tall as the second most powerful figure in the country now finds himself in a precarious position, his political career hanging by a thread. If he survives this impeachment attempt, he will emerge stronger, a political force to be reckoned with. But if he falls, his downfall will serve as a cautionary tale for future leaders, a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the world of politics.
The storm is gathering, and as the first winds begin to blow, all eyes are on Rigathi Gachagua. His fate, and indeed the fate of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, will be decided in the coming weeks.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO
(Sustainable economist, Geopolitics strategizer)
Mt Kenya Times