Politics by its nature is driven by interests which, sometimes, lead to the tilting of loyalty.
When Rigathi Gachagua was in charge as the Deputy President he had his interests but his interests started shifting to supremacy battles.
That led to a clash with the interest of his boss, the President, hence his being axed.
When he was axed, it was natural that most of his stalwarts or adherents had to be axed or purged as well so that key leadership positions, which are influential and consequential to the agenda of the majority coalition, are driven by the coalition’s loyalists.
Such interest should not be driven by those who could sabotage the government or the coalition.
Since the ouster of Gachagua, some MPs have started shifting their loyalties, not outwardly, in support or showing affection for the coalition as they were when they started.
They are trying to show that they are loyal and willing to support the government, and the coalition and they are ready to toe the line.
Second, the leadership of UDA where Gachagua was the deputy party leader did not want to come out as though they were anti-Kikuyu because if all the allies of Rigathi were to be removed, a majority of them being Kikuyus, it would create the wrong impression that President Ruto is anti-kikuyu, which is not the case.
President William Ruto has to reconsider his initial plan and, I think, he has re-strategised and decided to show goodwill to Kikuyus that he is not their enemy; that he has not had and does not have a problem with Mt Kenya but he has had differences with Gachagua because of variance in political interests.
Going slow on Rigathi allies has the twin objective of listening to those who want to change their allegiance and sending a message to Mt Kenya that the President doesn’t have anything bad against the region or the Kikuyu community.
The political commentator spoke to the Star.
