Underneath Gachagua's self-effacing manner, lurks a belligerent man

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses a past rally. [File, Standard]

Opinion is divided on who, between generals Sun Tzu, Mao Zedong and President George Washington should be credited with the coinage "attack is the best form of defence". Not in question, however, is the efficacy of the message.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua surprised many by staging a verbal blitzkrieg against President William Ruto. Implied, but not in as many words, Gachagua portrayed Dr Ruto as untrustworthy and unreliable during a televised interview at his official residence in Nairobi on Friday last week.

Combative, but measured in his responses, Gachagua emphasised that Ruto might have chosen him as a running mate in the 2022 General Election, but it is the people of Kenya who elected him.

One of his lieutenants had earlier stressed that an impeachment against Gachagua was an impeachment against Ruto since the duo is joined at the hip.

The inference is that Ruto will be indulging in a zero sum game were he to sanction Gachagua’s impeachment. The DP made it clear that under the UDA leadership structure, only the party leader can initiate such a motion.

Gachagua understands the mindsets of his detractors and is not leaving anything to fate. He had to scuttle their plans by launching an offensive to induce guilt and trigger the narcissist mentality so common among leaders. A narcissist, being too self conscious, thrives only in a positive light.

A joint UDA and ODM onslaught against Gachagua in Parliament would seal his fate. Their amity had to be made to look ominous. Gachagua’s strategy, therefore, was to reduce the recent rapprochement and working relationship between UDA and ODM, ostensibly to get the country out of a rut, to a selfish clandestine scheme to raise the numbers in Parliament to impeach him.

It worked because Gachagua needled both to respond and deny such a scheme. Gladys Wanga, the ODM chairperson, swallowed the bait and came out breathing fire. ODM denied being party to such a scheme. It has to maintain the 'good guy' facade.

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ODM will now be forced to be circumspect about matters of Gachagua impeachment. Many ODM loyalists are yet to forgive Raila and ODM for joining a government they consider insensitive and oppressive, and might believe Gachagua.

Gachagua’s projection of Ruto as vindictive, indecisive and unreliable is designed to push the latter to defend himself, which is unfamiliar and demeaning to him. In the meantime, Ruto’s attack dogs and henchmen did not disappoint. They disdainfully responded to Gachagua’s claims, but characteristically did not address the issues raised.

Instead, they resorted to what they are exceedingly good at: ad hominem. Ruto will most likely abandon the idea of impeachment if indeed there is one in the offing. Not too long ago, he assured Kenyans there are better things to do than impeach his deputy.

Gachagua clung to this by saying, "Even if you can't keep all other promises, please keep your promise to the people of Kenya that you will never allow your deputy to be humiliated and persecuted.”

It may not be obvious, but Ruto does not relish confrontations that put him on the receiving end, though he can be deadly when leading the assault. And just like ODM, he will not want to dignify Gachagua’s claims against him.

When Gen Z rudely ruffled Ruto’s feathers during their countrywide demos, a softer, subdued side of the President no one guessed existed, given his trademark bluster, revealed itself. The few times Baba lost his cool, came out guns blazing and railed against Ruto’s policies hardly drew a response from Ruto. A good thing, perhaps.

Gachagua is giving Ruto a dose of his own medicine. He can be mean if pushed, and his experience as an administrator in times when brawn was in vogue makes him a formidable opponent. The self effacing claims and affected meekness are deceptive. Gachagua is nobody's fool.