'Kenya is a company with shares!' How Rigathi Gachagua dug his own grave

One of the lessons in Gachagua's 766-day reign which might have eluded him is that power is transient, symbolised by how his political career is on a tight rope after the dust settled at the Senate on Thursday, and then the National Assembly immediately the next morning.

Gachagua's only hope now lies in the courts which suspended the Senate's resolution to impeach him, and the National Assembly's subsequent decision to ratify that decision  until October 24, 2024, and also barred DP nominee Kithure Kindiki from assuming office. 

His political bromance with his former boss President William Ruto now turned into a fierce rivalry calls to mind how presidents have in the past cut down their deputies to size.

Where did it all go wrong for the man of the mountain? Let's take a trip down memory lane:

Inauguration

Gachagua's speech during the inauguration of the Kenya Kwanza administration left an indelible mark that some said exposed the country's dirty linen to regional and international leaders. 

In his speech, he accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime of leaving them with a dilapidated economy and vehemently painted a sorry state of the economy; assuring Kenyans that "freedom is finally here."

The speech drew mixed reactions and left many on edge, thus earning him the moniker of the 'truthful man.'

Critics argued that Gachagua ought to have learnt from his former boss, Ruto, on how to navigate unchartered waters as a Deputy President. 

In the first term of the Jubilee regime, Ruto and Uhuru enjoyed their camaraderie, drawing the perception that the duo's unity would stand the test of times. 

Things, however, turned sour following the symbolic handshake between Uhuru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

Often considered a strategist, critics opined that Ruto took time to study his then boss while at the time laying the ground work for his master plan.

He consolidated enough henchmen in Parliament and began pulling them towards a new political outfit dubbed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Through the 'hustler' narrative, Ruto endeared to the common mwananchi at the grassroots and eventually succeeded Uhuru during the 2022 elections. 

Fast forward to today, Gachagua was perceived to be rallying the Mt. Kenya region in a bid to secure votes ahead of the 2027 elections. This, many believed, set him on a collision course with President Ruto. 

“Let's focus on delivering the promises to the people of Kenya...not 2027… na sasa Mungu akiamua mambo yake ingine, uta do?” Ruto posed on September 15. 

Further, Gachagua was criticised for his tough talking nature which some claimed rubbed people the wrong way.

Gachagua maintained his stance that he would not change his truthful nature, a smart tactic or was he playing Russian roulette with his political career? 

Shareholding

Notably, his controversial shareholding remarks proved to be his Achilles' heel, as it openly put it out that government appointments were indeed a preserve for those who voted for the administration of the day.

"This government is a company that has shares. There are owners who have the majority of shares, and those with just a few, while others do not have any. You invested in this government and you must reap. You sowed, tilled, put manure and irrigated, and now it is time to reap,” Gachagua said in Kericho on February 19, 2023. 

President Ruto's inner circle have used this as fodder to attack Gachagua, arguing that the remarks could divide the country.

Leaders such as National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah have come out guns blazing to chastise the 'truthful man'. 

"Never again shall we allow leaders for their own selfish and sectarian interests to divide our people on the basis of where they come from or the political parties they are affiliated to," Ichung'wah said on August 29, 2024. 

Gachagua's late arrival

The differences between the two seemingly played out on June 9, 2024, when Gachagua broke protocol during the Akorino National Conference in Nakuru by arriving an hour after President Ruto had settled. 

Protocol dictates that individuals who arrive after the President should not be allowed to access the venue. The DP is also required to welcome the President at a function. 

Gachagua's late arrival raised eyebrows on whether he was intentionally left out of the day's schedule or came late on purpose. Despite issuing an apology, the act was a telltale sign of their irrevocable differences. 

"Mr President, first of all, I  want to ask for forgiveness for coming late. I am not an undisciplined person. You know very well, I was a uniformed officer and in your government, I am the most disciplined person," Gachagua said at the event. 

Broad-based government

Following Kenya Kwanza's victory, Gachagua proclaimed himself as Ruto's watchman and reaffirmed that he would protect Ruto against Raila's advances.

He alleged that Raila had a knack of warming his way to power; vowing that he would set traps at all corners of State House. 

“Leave the job of guarding the President to me. If anyone tries to approach State House, I have set traps on every possible path they could take. There is no way they can get through. So, there’s nothing for you to worry about,” Gachagua said in 2023. 

The plan ultimately flopped when President Ruto met Raila in Uganda to discuss the latter's candidacy for African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.

This would unfold into talks of a broad-based government, with four members of Odinga's opposition ODM party joining Ruto's reconstituted cabinet in July 2024. 

WhatsApp wars

All past incidents led to speculations of their turmoil but Gachagua would confirm the tiff during an exclusive interview with Citizen TV where he seemingly opened the elusive Pandora's box. 

Gachagua disclosed that he missed out on national events after he was kicked out of the WhatsApp group that detailed the president's itinerary.

He cried foul and said that the move was mischievous and aimed at discrediting him from discharging his duties. 

“There is mischief to remove me from the Presidential diary so that once I do not attend Presidential events, it can be purported that I am absconding duty. I hear that was one of the grounds for impeachment. Sometimes they want me to appear late so that it can appear I am disrespectful,” he said.

He also accused the president of endorsing his impeachment motion, arguing that such a motion cannot see the light of the day unless authorised by the Head of State. 

On the other hand, the president has remained mum over the matter, opting to watch things unfold from afar. 

Interestingly, both Ruto and Gachagua have not held a joint function in recent weeks; as many believe that the duo's relationship is now on its deathbed.