Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s removal has exposed the deep fissures in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, signalling a looming fierce political battle.
It is obvious that whatever the outcome of the impeachment, the relationship between the once bosom friends has deteriorated to the core.
The DP dragged his boss into his impeachment debacle when he submitted his defence on the 11 charges drawn by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
He holds the view that he is being “prosecuted for crimes his boss also committed during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s era.
He even played videos in an attempt to implicate the President.
The DP argued his boss lashed at institutions and senior government officers unleashed on him during Uhuru’s era, which followed their bitter fallout.
He believes the impeachment proceedings, which the Senate is set to conclude on Thursday, have the blessings of the President.
“He is the one behind my impeachment. I was elected by 7.5 million people. If he wants me to go, I challenge him to go with me so that Kenyans can elect other leaders of their choice,” Gachagua said.
During his Monday tell-all TV interview at his residence, Gachagua spilt beans of their frosty relationship, openly stating that he could not execute some orders Ruto issued.
“My boss asked me to supervise illegal, unconstitutional and brutal evictions and I refused,” he said.
The DP also accused Ruto of presiding over the abductions, torture and murder of innocent Kenyans, contrary to his pre-election vow.
“I refuse to support that. Ruto is lying that there are no abductions and extrajudicial killings when everyone has seen them happening and we have videos. I will not be a party to violations of the constitution and brutalities against Kenyans who voted for us,” the DP said.
Gachagua said his boss signed secret coalition agreements with parties and individuals.
He also ruffled feathers with speakers Moses Wetangula of the National Assembly and Amason Kingi of the Senate, saying they are beneficiaries.
The DP has also declined the push to take back his words against the National Intelligence Service and its boss Noordin Haji whom he accused of “sleeping on the job”.
An adamant Gachagua restated his sentiments and invited the NIS boss to challenge his position if aggrieved.
The battle lines have been drawn, and the DP seems to be all out for war, in what some of his insiders describe as “taking the whole house down”.
Political pundits say from the prevailing events, the two leaders are at a point of no return.
This, they say, is worsened by more than 60 MPs from Mt Kenya who already endorsed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as their leader.
EALA MP David Sankok said it will be very difficult for the two leaders to work together even if the Senate or the courts save Gachagua.
“Even if he is saved and clears his name, I would advise him to resign. How do you work with the people who have stated they don’t want you?” he asked.
“Two hundred and eighty two MPs is a huge number. Which projects in which constituency will he supervise? Projects don’t hang in the air. These leaders are in charge of national government projects.”
Questions on whether MPs will be fair to him in their oversight and budgeting role also came up.
“Either way, Gachagua has to resign. He’d better swallow his pride and throw in the towel. Even if it is justice, it will be difficult for him to work with Ruto,” Sankok said.
Gachagua is playing from a different position compared with the onslaught Ruto endured during his 10-year tenure as the DP.
Ruto had many MPs who believed in him and could accord him a platform to sell his policies, something the DP is arguably lacking.
Charles Nyambuga, a political commentator from Maseno University, says there is no likely comeback for the Kenya Kwanza duo.
“The skirmish has gone too far. Ruto has gone for Gachagua’s jugular. Rapprochement has not worked. The clergy and elders have all failed to bring a truce,” he said.
“The body blow on Gachagua is serious. With time, he is going to realise the level. It is getting ugly and not likely to change soon,” the pundit said.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, who is among MPs who voted against Gachagua, said impeachment will be the last nail on the DP.
“If he thinks this can go haywire, he should consider resigning. He risks suffering serious political consequences if he chooses to stay,” the lawmaker said.
Gachagua is said to be building a strong case against his accusers at the Senate.
Among the issues the team is building on are public participation and whether there was sufficient time.
The DP’s team is also looking at the possibility of exploring lacunas in the law to establish what amounts to gross misconduct.
They are also holding the view that corruption and money laundering can only be tested by competent investigative agencies.
The case could drag on for weeks, considering the drama might start from the lower courts all the way to the Supreme Court.
“It is not over until it is over unless they intimidate and manipulate the courts,” said Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejadonk, in what could give a glimpse of the looming political battle ahead.