BY MACHARIA MUNENE
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has already been impeached.
He is now going for trial in the Senate for conviction or acquittal.
It appears he will be convicted although there is no certainty.
If he is convicted, assuming the judicial process does not interfere too much, the scenario whether it is Anne Waiguru or Kithure Kindiki can then be considered.
There are possibilities that things may not work out that way given there are a lot of questions.
The courts might find that the process was flawed.
The way the court acquitted Martin Wambora – because the process was flawed.
That can happen.
There is a high possibility and it looks like this one is even more flawed than Wambora’s case.
If he is convicted, President William Ruto will have a chance to pick anyone he wants.
From his previous utterances, it looks like he might favour Waiguru.
He is on record saying that if the President is a man, the deputy should be a woman.
And he said that in front of Gachagua.
It appears he was preparing Gachagua that you are going to get out so that I get a woman.
So, the number of women who are linked to this position is two or three with Waiguru being the leader.
There is a possibility of him picking Gladys Wanga although it is kind of far-fetched, and Alice Wahome.
If he considers the gender issue, then Kindiki has no room. But if the gender is irrelevant, which is likely to be, then, Kindiki might have a small chance.
But then, there is no guarantee, either way. For the President, if the impeachment succeeds, whomever he picks will not be an issue any more.
He can even pick somebody unknown or unexpected and run with it. He is on top of the Kenyan scene.
Deep down, what Ruto wants is anyone who will help him work. Whether that person comes from Mt Kenya East, West, North or South will not be an issue to him.
It does not even have to be somebody from the mountain. That is why the name of Wanga comes into the picture. He can pick Musalia Mudavadi.
The political commentator spoke to the Star