'Marriage of convenience': Barack Muluka speaks on Ruto-Gachagua fallout

Political Commentator Barack Muluka has weighed in on the soured relationship between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto in light of the second-in-command's impeachment by Parliament on Tuesday.

Speaking on Citizen TV's JKLive Show on Wednesday, Muluka likened President Ruto and DP Gachagua's pre-election alliance to a "marriage of convenience" he says was shrouded in mystery.

According to Muluka, the partnership between the President and the DP was built on unspoken vows and promises made behind closed doors

"The marriage of convenience is a marriage that is informed by vows that were taken in secrecy, vows that we know nothing about," he said.

"However the DP and the President took marriage vows in secrecy. We don't know what they promised one another."

Further, Muluka compared Gachagua with other potential candidates for the Deputy Presidency, particularly Interior Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who some speculated was Ruto's preferred choice ahead of the August 2022 polls.

"We have heard that he (Kindiki) was the more preferred between the two for reasons not disclosed that we are allowed to speculate about," said Muluka.  

He further emphasized that Gachagua's significant financial contributions to Ruto's campaign likely came with expectations of reciprocity—particularly in the realm of government tenders.

"In this country ya kusema na kutenda...meaning tendering... I see every possibility that Gachagua was told that in the government we are going to form, you are going to enjoy a certain percentage of tendering and which has not happened. That tendering was meant to recoup his investments in the election and that has not happened," said Muluka.

He added that Gachagua's repeated requests for Ruto to "keep his promises" are a sign of deeper discontent because his expectations haven't been met.

"That is why he (DP) keeps on talking about President Ruto should keep his promises," he said.

"I see that it all pertains to informal government and the things that happen in formal government," he said.

"I see it pertains to Adani, SHA and ongoing things in the power and energy sector and what we have described as prebendalism....that part of the entitlement for people who hold public office is extra-legal and sometimes absolutely illegal access to public resources."