Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is now under pressure to form his own political party, a lack of which critics believe contributed to his downfall.
Gachagua entered Kenya Kwanza as an individual unlike his peers, who used political outfits to negotiate and cement a deal with President William Ruto.
Many observers believe things would have been different had the former DP used a political party to sign a deal with the President.
Days after being impeached and a successor sworn in, reality is now dawning on the ex DP’s allies on the mistake they made, and they are now demanding that the former powerful man register a political party.
The ruling party UDA has already scheduled a National Executive Committee meeting to kick Gachagua out of the party.
UDA national chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the meeting will be held as soon as today, with the sole agenda of removing Gachagua and installing the new Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to the deputy party leader position.
Speaking at KICC during the swearing in of Kindiki, she said plans were afoot to bring Kindiki on board in line with the party’s constitution.
“I have no doubt that Kindiki has what it takes to assist the President take the country forward,” she said.
The UDA constitution ring-fences the deputy party leader position to the holder of the Deputy President’s office.
In his first public appearance since his ouster, Gachagua seemed to be regretting his naivety not to ink a deal.
Speaking on Saturday during the funeral service at Kiamwathi Anglican Church in Kirinyaga county, the lonely Gachagua promised to direct supporters to a political path soon.
“I am not quitting politics, my political ambition is unstoppable and I ask my people who feel they have been left without a leader to be patient,” Gachagua said.
“I will soon show them the political route to follow.”
But his allies were clear, demanding that the former DP register a political party for future engagements. Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina told Gachagua the region’s interests will only be secured if it has its own political party.
Baragwi MCA David Mathenge said, “If Gachagua had a political party, he would not have been kicked out of power.”
While towering Kenya Kwanza principals inked deals protected in law, Gachagua trusted Ruto’s goodwill as he hit the campaign trail.
Except for Gachagua, other big shots in Kenya Kwanza led political parties that they used to enter into structured agreements with Ruto that even captured power-sharing agreements.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi joined Kenya Kwanza after signing a deal under the ANC party, with the agreement securing his position in government.
Moses Wetang’ula signed a pre-election agreement with Kenya Kwanza alliance through his Ford Kenya party.
The agreement secured his position as National Assembly Speaker and a share of other plum government jobs, including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and ambassadorial posts.
Other Kenyan Kwanza big guns who signed deals with Kenya Kwanza include Labour CS Alfred Mutua of Maendeleo Chap Chap and Public Service CS Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi of
the PAA party was another leader who signed a deal with Kenya
Kwanza, securing his place within
the outfit and the speaker’s position.