Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has openly criticized his successor, Kithure Kindiki, labelling him a submissive leader lacking the backbone to challenge President William Ruto’s decisions.
Speaking at an AIPCA church service in Kigumo, Murang’a County, Gachagua asserted that Ruto requires a deputy who can scrutinize his actions to ensure they reflect the interests of the people and adhere to their manifesto.
“At the government, I was the only one speaking. The one who has taken my seat cannot even speak. He is just the president’s worker. There is nothing he can do.” Gachagua claimed.
He also took aim at Members of Parliament (MPs), accusing them of neglecting the will of the electorate. He cited the controversial Finance Bill, stating that lawmakers disregarded public opinion, which ultimately led to significant backlash.
“Even when the people rejected the Finance Bill, the MPs pushed aside the will of the people,” he said.
Gachagua further pointed to the Adani scandal to illustrate the hypocrisy of Parliament, referencing MPs’ enthusiastic support for the President when he decided to terminate contracts with the conglomerate.
“The MPs stood up and started praising the President ‘IGWEEE… IGWEEE’,” he remarked, reflecting on their sudden change in stance.
This outburst threatens to reignite discussions surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment on multiple counts, including misconduct and tribalism, adding further tension to the already fraught political atmosphere.
Bad Blood
In the lead-up to the 2022 general elections, Kithure Kindiki was considered a frontrunner to become President William Ruto’s running mate. Ultimately, however, Ruto chose Rigathi Gachagua for the position, citing age as a factor, believing they would have a better understanding of each other.
Insider accounts, however, suggest that Gachagua aggressively pushed for his nomination, causing discontent among various factions within the party.
Gachagua’s impeachment marked a historic moment under the 2010 Constitution, making him the first Deputy President to be removed from office through this process, a decision ratified by both the National Assembly and the Senate.
As discussions surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment began, speculation arose about Kindiki being the leading candidate for the role of Deputy President in the event of Gachagua’s ouster.
Public opinion and polls positioned Kindiki as the preferred choice for Deputy President, with at least 69 elected leaders from the broader Mt. Kenya region endorsing him as their representative in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
