Gachagua: Pawn or master of his own downfall in Kenya's power struggle?

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [File, Standard]

What is it about this man, Rigathi Gachagua, that the political class so passionately wants him out of the way? Pronouncements by the umpires of the National Assembly at two separate public events, two weeks ago, were the clearest indicators that Kenya’s Deputy President was a man under siege that would be difficult to survive.  

Even before the impeachment motion was formally brought before the Assembly, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and his deputy, Gladys Boss Shollei, told Kenyans that Gachagua must go. Wetang’ula accused him of reckless bravado, while Shollei talked of gross disrespect for President William Ruto. Gachagua was, meanwhile, on the stumps, prosecuting the matter in the court of public opinion. He was frontally taking on his boss, with...