With the removal of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appearing imminent, intense jostling for his replacement has started in earnest in the Mt Kenya region.
President William Ruto will thus be treading a delicate balance as he picks his next deputy, should Parliament send Gachagua home, known for his strident, abrasive and divisive style.
Big name political figures from the two regions of Mt Kenya East and West who are eyeing the seat are currently engaged in strategic manoeuvres behind the scenes to position themselves favourably as the debate around the DP’s future intensifies.
MPs are currently considering an impeachment motion that is threatening to cut short the career of the self-proclaimed “truthful man” who threatens to spill the beans and tell the public what’s really going on in government.
Already possible replacements are being floated.
“The train has left the station, the horses have bolted and unless the President himself has mercy on Gachagua, his proverbial goose is very much cooked,” political analyst Mark Bichachi told the Star.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East MP) and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro are some of the names mentioned as Gachagua’s possible replacement.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome’s name has also been up for discussion.
Should Ruto decide to look outside of Mt Kenya, pundits are mentioning Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Environment Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Sources have told the Star that those in the race have been in a series of secret meetings with their allies to strategise.
The most recent one took place Wednesday evening at a hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi city, following a similar session on Tuesday.
“We are almost certain that the man is going. It is no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘who’,” a politician from the region said.
He sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi avoided commenting about the meetings, saying the “mountain is united.” K
indiki – regarded as a frontrunner – has received a string of endorsements from Mt Kenya leaders who have demanded he be elevated as the link between the region and the government.
Gachagua’s exit thus is a ‘dream come true’ to Kindiki who in 2022 narrowly lost to Rigathi in Ruto’s running mate race.
He is seen as competent and business-like, not striving for power and position.
Some of the leaders who spoke to the Star argued that since he was initially to be picked as the running mate, he is the best placed to fill the position.
“Kindiki deserves it and there is nothing wrong with that. The people from Mt Kenya east have always supported the west in their quest,” former Igembe North MP Joseph M’eruaki told the Star.
Waiguru, who chairs the powerful Council of Governors has also been endorsed by women governors under their umbrella body, G7.
Governance expert Javas Bigambo, while insisting that it all depends on Ruto, stated the ideal candidate must not only come from Mt Kenya but be a leader who can turn the tide against Gachagua in the region.
“That (talking about the DP’s replacement) is shooting in the dark, we may not know because it is up the sleeves of the President, as the naming authority for approval by Parliament,” Bigambo told the Star.
“If we were, however, to extend our tentacles of imagination, for the good sake of the President to retain his popularity or sustain the political fight now moving into the political season in 2027, he has to fill the position with somebody from Central Kenya.
"He needs to fill that position with somebody who is superior to Rigathi. He should be somebody with a national appeal, which means there is a semblance of acceptability of that person, somebody who will be nationalistic and a statesman or stateswoman in character and nature.”
Political analyst Bichachi agrees the replacement should come from Central Kenya.
“It is most likely going to come from the mountain because the President is trying to appease his central base,” he told the Star.
Bichachi however added that should the President decide to consider his next deputy outside Mt Kenya then Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi fits the bill.
“If he (President Ruto) decides to introduce a whole new tribe as the Deputy President then he will elevate someone from the Mountain to be PCS,” he noted.
“If you look at the seniority in government, the most senior politician is Musalia Mudavadi. He is the only one who has been Vice President, so what would happen is that if he decides to promote Mudavadi then we would expect a Ndindi Nyoro and Anne Murugaru to be PCS.”
Daniel Maanzo however insists that the ongoing impeachment is as a result of pressure from the likes of Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who are keen to take Rigathi’s seat.
In an interview with Citizen TV last Thursday, Maanzo alleged that Ichung’wah has shown interest in replacing Gachagua and would benefit from the impeachment.
“President Ruto and DP Gachagua are in the same ballot paper, they should either serve the whole term or both of them go so that Kenya can have a new beginning. I think the President needs to look at the matter carefully. He should not follow the Ichung’wahs of this world who pressure him,” the senator said.
“You know the President is under a lot of pressure from certain fellows. Ichung’wah himself is interested in being the deputy president because they are saying if they remove Gachagua, they must bring in another Kikuyu and that’s why we are all guilty of tribalism.”
Close Ruto allies have also indicated the next DP will come from Mt Kenya, a move that is seen as quelling any disquiet that might erupt from the Mountain. Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi – a close Ruto confidant – said Mt Kenya is at the centre of Ruto’s administration and will not be overlooked.
“No one has an issue with the majority of leaders from the mountain, save for one. Even his replacement will surely come from the mountain. Sure bet.” Sudi posted on his verified X account. Gachagua’s impeachment officially commenced last Tuesday following the tabling of a motion by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
The embattled DP has been accused of promoting tribalism and acquiring wealth using his position in government. The second in command is also accused of contradicting government policies and inciting citizens to defy county government directives.
Mutuse’s motion further alleges that the DP has committed gross economic crimes, citing conflict of interest, abuse of office and unexplained wealth.
Gachagua is further accused of undermining and publicly attacking the National Intelligence Service and its officers yet had avenues in the National Security Council to express his frustration or views.
There are also claims the DP has for two years “persistently bullied state and public officers for”, charges that are expected to play out in today’s session.
The DP will be accorded two hours today to defend himself from the allegations before MPs vote to decide his fate. Should 233 MPs, two-thirds, vote in favour of the motion, the special motion will proceed to the Senate, where Gachagua will be tried either through a committee or at the plenary.
During the trial, the DP will be given a chance to appear before the Committee.
If the charges are substantiated, then senators will vote after according to the DP another chance to be heard and if 45 senators vote to uphold any impeachment charge then the DP ceases to hold office.
The President will then have an opportunity to nominate someone to fill the position subject to Parliament approval.