Fall of Gachagua: The man and his path

DP Rigathi Gachagua during the 25th Annual Inter Ministries Union Conference in Inkinyie ground, Kajiado County. (Pic/DPCS)

During his swearing-in, Gachagua made promises to the nation: a government that tolerates criticism, upholds integrity, and delivers on the pledges made to the citizens.

Two years later, the second deputy president under the current constitution faces an impeachment, accused of gross violations of the Constitution, promoting ethnic discrimination, and failing to fulfil his duties as deputy president. 

In 2017, Gachagua successfully ran for the Mathira constituency seat, a position that had previously been held by his elder brother, Nderitu Gachagua. It was during this time that Gachagua’s fiery character and political acumen began to attract significant attention.

However, Gachagua’s public statements, both before and since becoming the Deputy President, have at times been perceived as blunders, which have left many Kenyans questioning how the man they voted for has fallen so far from grace.

Gachagua vowed to work closely with President Ruto, ensuring that the government’s promises of development and fighting corruption would be achieved. 

He portrayed himself as a humble servant of the people, ready to uphold the Constitution and fight for the rights of every Kenyan.

But just two years later, the promises seem to have turned into distant echoes. Gachagua faces impeachment charges on multiple fronts, from undermining national unity to engaging in corrupt practices. 

One of the serious charges levelled against him is his alleged promotion of ethnic division, a violation of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

His public remarks, at times, have stoked fears of tribalism, a long-standing issue in Kenya, fueling ethnic tensions, and undermining the sense of national unity that Kenyans have strived to build.

“We voted for Gachagua because we believed in his vision of a united Kenya, free from ethnic hatred, but what we have seen instead is a leader who uses ethnicity as a tool for division. It is heartbreaking,” said Joseph Maina, a Nairobi resident.

This sentiment is echoed by many Kenyans who now feel that the second in command has abandoned the promise of national cohesion in favour of tribal politics. 

His remarks about government appointments and contracts being reserved for those who voted for the administration shocked many, with critics pointing out that such statements only serve to widen the gap between communities.

“Government is not a shareholder company, Gachagua’s utterances about rewarding only those who supported his administration have created a dangerous precedent. It is not only divisive but also goes against the very essence of democracy,” Maina added.

The most damning accusation against Gachagua is his alleged involvement in corruption and the abuse of office.

The Deputy President stands accused of money laundering, influencing corrupt practices, and failing to respect and defend the Constitution. 

While addressing the public on Sunday, October 6, Gachagua explained that he joined the private sector after serving in the public sector for 15 years. He emphasised that his 15 years of business were during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s era when Kenya’s economy was flourishing.

“How can someone who is supposed to lead the fight against corruption be involved in such activities? We placed our trust in him, hoping he would clean up the mess in government. But it seems he has just added to it. He should tell us the truth about how he acquired his wealth, instead of claiming that it was his brother who left him with all that money,” Cynthia Wacheke said.

In addition to the corruption allegations, Gachagua has also been accused of undermining government policies and failing to perform his duties as deputy president. 

His public contradictions of the President’s stance on various issues have sparked concern over whether he is fit to hold the office.

“The Deputy President’s role is to support the President and ensure government policies are implemented, by contradicting government positions publicly. Gachagua has shown that he is not a team player. This undermines the entire administration’s credibility,” Njeri Mwangi, a Nyeri resident, said.

Gachagua’s alleged interference with devolved county functions has also drawn criticism. Kenya’s system of devolution, designed to bring government services closer to the people, has been a key pillar of the country’s governance. However, Gachagua is accused of meddling in county affairs, undermining the autonomy of local governments.

One of the most high-profile incidents involving Gachagua was his public spat with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. The deputy president was accused of interfering with Sakaja’s efforts to address the city’s pressing issues, such as the management of public transport and the relocation of street vendors.

“Gachagua seems to think he can just bully his way through and override the decisions of elected county leaders. This is a clear violation of the principles of devolution, and it’s deeply concerning to see the second-highest-ranking official in the land behaving in this way. He is the DP and he should focus on national issues,” Njeri added.

His threats to the Judiciary have sparked fears over the independence of the courts. 

The Judiciary in Kenya has often been seen as the last line of defense in upholding the rule of law, and any attempt to intimidate judges or interfere with their decisions is viewed as a direct attack on the country’s democracy.

“Kenya’s Judiciary must remain independent if we are to have any hope of justice. When a leader, especially one as high-ranking as the Deputy President, threatens this independence, it shakes the very foundations of our democracy,” she said.

Many Kenyans now feel that the man they voted for has let them down since he has instead become embroiled in scandal after scandal.