• Some of the DP allies have suggested that they would leave the United Democratic Alliance and form a new party for the 2027 general elections.
• Mixed signals in Gachagua’s political moves have triggered a debate on whether he is employing it as a survival strategy.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is a man living in contrasting political worlds.
On one hand, he cuts the image of a man under siege of state instruments, including security apparatus.
He paints the picture that lives up to the jinx that has been the deputy president’s office in country’s history.
In a recent radio show, he lamented attempts by state functionaries and agencies to mount a crackdown on him and his allies.
He named the intelligence and investigative agencies as being on his case.
His allies were investigated for links to funding anti-government protests.
At the height of these claims, an impeachment plot against Gachagua was said to be in the works.
President Ruto would delve into it in his recent whistle stops in Mt Kenya, asking those behind it to go slow.
On the other hand, Gachagua appears as a man in charge of his post and close to his boss.
He has been accompanying the head of state on tours across the country, restating their united front.
They were in Mt Kenya, Kisii and Uasin Gishu last week. More of such tours are in the works.
The DP has in public spaces vouched for the broad-based government.
The deal saw Raila's top lieutenants appointed as cabinet secretaries by Ruto.
While some quarters observed that Gachagua had no influence in the new team, the DP has welcomed the four honchos.
“When I look and find Hassan Joho, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi in the same Cabinet with me, I appreciate that Kenya is great and we must learn to live with each other because you never know about tomorrow,” he said.
The mixed signals in Gachagua’s political moves have triggered a debate on whether he is employing a survival strategy or has caved-in to pressure.
“It is easily possible that the DP is projecting disguised loyalty, which is a strategic genuflection to the Office of the President and not necessarily an affirmation of organic camaraderie between him and the President,” political analyst Javas Bigambo said.
He told the Star that the show is informed by the broad-based government engineered by Ruto and Raila “to Rigathi’s evident chagrin”.
“The smoking ruins of real loyalty and friendship can be seen from the sarcasm the DP often unveils in his cheek-in-tongue celebration of the broad-based government,” Bigambo said.
For the pundit, the DP is “grudgingly embracing the new political trajectory, but his heart and mind are in the coldest of places.
“DP Gachagua is cheerless and he is seen wearing a sad face most of the time, a reflection of his folded heart,” Bigambo said.
The language of his allies emphasises this assertion, going by their hard stance agains the broad-government.
Some have taunted the deal, satirically referring to it as a ‘bread-based’, and a 2027 game plan.
MPs, notably Naivasha’s Jayne Kihara, Embakasi Central’s Benjamin Gathiru and Embakasi North's James Gakuya says the DP is just being managed.
The politicians, including Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and former Bahati MP Ngunjri Wambugu, have watered down the deal terming it a card against Gachagua.
They say they have been shortchanged and Ruto is focusing on building a 2027 campaign machinery.
“This whole thing is about building numbers for voting in Parliament and the 2027 presidential election,” Gakuya told the Star.
He said Kenya Kwanza has had no problems with Raila.
“We supported his [Raila'] AU Commission chairperson bid way before. This is not about him but about President Ruto seeking to survive a re-election,” he said.
On the question of Gachagua’s mixed signals, the MP said there is no way the DP could act differently, as "the siege is yet to be lifted”.
“We know well that the schemes against the DP have not ended. They have just retreated after some reality checks. But the game is not over yet,” Gakuya said.
He said they are in Kenya Kwanza to stay, "We will not leave no matter what."
Former UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala said his woes are linked to his closeness with Gachagua.
He said those who ousted him are the same people who want the DP out.
“They want Gachagua out so that they can strategically position themselves within the emerging political re-alignments,” Malala said.
Some of Gachagua's allies said they will leave UDA and form a new party ahead of 2027 general election.
The DP earlier complained of being prohibited from rides in military choppers among other treats that come with his office.
Gachagua’s office has also sustained drastic budget cuts, even before Gen Zs forced the government to drop Finance Bill, 2024.
In Eldoret, he said he is under pressure from some of the President’s allies, challenging them to show their contribution in 2022.
“Isn’t it me who stood with the President? Didn’t you see me help him in the campaign? If you see anyone who wants to come between us, please tell them off,” he said.
For pundits, the display is for the show and it is a matter of time before the tide changes.
Talks have emerged on the formation of the Gikuyu-Embu-Meru-Akamba axis.
Recent happenings where DP Gachagua’s closest advisers were interrogated for hours are viewed as painting the picture of the political reality.
"It cannot be assumed that Gachagua has forgiven and forgotten the anguish of seeing Raila’s men join the government against his will,” pundits say.
This they say is asserted by the DP’s cronies “who mostly carry his spare mouth and spare thoughts and have put it plainly that they feel betrayed by the President.”