Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s woes have reached a boiling point, and his recent outbursts at a church function in his hometown of Nyeri suggest a man under siege.
Gachagua claimed that officers from the Ministry of Interior are sabotaging his efforts to curb illicit alcohol sales, citing a “directive” that overrides an earlier order to close down such businesses and limit drinking hours.
The directive, he alleged, was issued by individuals with “orders from above” – a thinly veiled reference to President Ruto.
This latest drama comes on the heels of Gachagua’s scathing critique of National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Noordin Haji for allegedly sleeping on the job during recent Gen Z protests.
Interior Cabinet Secretary, on the other hand, refuted claims of government officials sleeping on the job, insisting that the protests were under control.
The increasingly acrimonious feud between Gachagua and Mt Kenya henchmen has sparked concerns about divisions within the region, which has produced three heads of state.
The region’s politicians are now engaged in a high-stakes game of power play, with some seeing Gachagua’s overtures to Uhuru as a sign of weakness.
Kindiki, a former strong contender for Gachagua’s seat, has openly criticized the Deputy President’s efforts to unite Mt. Kenya, labeling them as tribalistic.
Pundits warn that this infighting could ultimately benefit neither Gachagua nor his aggressors, and may even cost them votes in the long run.
