Together apart: The growing Ruto-Gachagua cold war

Known for his straight-talking nature, Gachagua has been calling for the unity of the Mt Kenya region and openly lobbying for the Central region to receive more resources under the one-man-one-shilling-one-vote model. 

Close allies of the president have, however, accused him of engaging in regional politics instead of uniting the country.

Further, they claimed this was a campaign tactic to secure Mt Kenya votes ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

Some say that Gachagua is copying President Ruto's playbook who was accused of campaigning early during the second term of the Jubilee regime, under his then-boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

On Sunday, September 15, the head of state castigated those engaging in early campaigns in what appears as an open rebuke against his deputy. 

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

Their tiff also played out this past weekend as the DP was conspicuously absent during a church service at AIPCA Central Western Archdiocese in Nyeri County. 

Gachagua was expected to play host to President Ruto in his backyard in Nyeri and his seat, which remained unoccupied, was reserved throughout the event.

In what appeared as a sign of a wider rift between the duo, Gachagua instead chose to attend another service at Our Lady of Sorrows Baricho Catholic Parish in Ndia, Kirinyaga County. 

Battle lines were drawn during the two events as Gachagua's allies took time to defend him from the political onslaught he suffered from Mt Kenya politicians. 

During her speech, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru acknowledged receiving a Ksh.2 million donation from the president to be channelled towards the Catholic Parish. 

This raised questions as past historical patterns show that the DP often gives out the president's donations at events. 

"I've been pushing the president to come here but he was on a trip and when he landed, I contacted him. I informed him that I would not go to the event empty-handed. I told him that even if he's unable to attend, may he send a small token," Waiguru said. 

"I bring his message. We were told that the Father's House was yet to be completed, I came with a Ksh.2 million donation from the president to help in the project," she added. 

The heated political temperatures also played out in the DP's backyard as one of his closest allies, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, pledged his loyalty to the president, steering away from regional politics. 

"I want you to be confident that as the governor of this county, where you left us is where we are. You are in our hearts. We wish you all the best," Kahiga told President Ruto at the church function. 

Further, Gachagua's attempt to secure the mountain was recently curtailed after 69 MPs pledged their allegiance to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, picking him as their link to the Executive.

This move has been seen as a ploy to sideline Gachagua from Mt Kenya politics despite him being the most senior politician in the region. 

To add to his woes, the President's close allies have been publicly criticising his leadership role, with some calling for his ouster from the government.  

“That viper on your hand, the snake in your government please shake it off...not that it cannot bite you, but so that you can work freely,” National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah said during a Sunday service at Steward Revival Pentecostal Church in Nairobi. 

Since their presidential victory in the 2022 elections, the DP was the president's biggest cheerleader, joining him in various public events while speaking in unison over national matters. 

Two years down the line, the DP has been a no-show in several events hosted by the President.

On May 15, 2024, the DP was absent during the arrival of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Nairobi for a three-day visit. 

Days later, he did not show up at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive his boss who was returning from a trip to Rwanda. 

Additionally, Gachagua was absent during President Ruto's arrival at JKIA from Germany on September 15, 2024. Instead, CS Kindiki received the president at the airport. 

With some critics alleging that President Ruto is aligning with ODM ahead of the 2027 elections, all eyes will be on his relationship with his deputy and how the political arena will play out.