NAIROBI – In a shocking turn of events, the impeached Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly criticized his former boss, President William Ruto’s leadership and economic policies, sparking intense debate and infighting within the ruling party.
“People have short memories. President William Ruto has a very short memory,” Gachagua remarked. “Last year, we sat him in my house and we assured him that he’ll be president, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he’s president and we worked very hard. We took him to State House and when we reached there, he put aside everything we had agreed on, on how we need Kenya to be.”
Gachagua’s comments also highlighted the apparent abandonment of the 47 economic charters, which were agreed upon by the ruling party before the elections.
“We had 47 economic charters in each and every county agreeing on the economic interventions that will be required for each county. He put them aside,” Gachagua noted.
Furthermore, he expressed disappointment over Ruto’s failure to implement the bottom-up economic model, which was a key campaign promise.
“We had agreed on the payment of pending bills for our business community to bring money into circulation. He put that one aside. We had agreed on the bottom-up economic model of putting money into people’s pocket. The minute he reached State House, he changed course.”
Gachagua’s remarks have ignited a fierce battle within the ruling party, with some lawmakers rallying behind him and others supporting Ruto. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of Kenya’s leadership hangs in the balance, and the consequences of this power struggle will be felt for years to come.
Gachagua was in 2024 impeached after process began in the National Assembly on October 1, 2024, with an 11-count impeachment motion. By October 8, 2024, a total of 281 MPs had voted in favor of his impeachment. The Senate then took up the matter, and after a two-day trial on October 16 and 17, 2024, Gachagua was found guilty of five of the 11 charges. The Senate voted to uphold his impeachment on October 17, 2024, with 53 lawmakers voting in favor and 13 against.
Gachagua’s impeachment marked a significant blow to his political career, but it remains to be seen how this will impact his future endeavors. One thing is certain, however: the power struggle between Gachagua and Ruto has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s political landscape.
