Gachagua ouster, Kindiki's nomination to shift political landscape

President William Ruto and Deputy President nominee Kithure Kindiki during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kwale Stadium on October 20, 2024. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]

The ouster of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the nomination of Prof Kithure Kindiki could spark changes should the courts uphold the impeachment.

Leaders allied to the two could benefit or lose out in the looming political re-alignments. 

Gachagua’s staff and allies are already bearing the brunt amid escalating supremacy wrangles.

Last week, over 180 staff at the Office of the Deputy President were sent on compulsory leave, signaling the beginning of a purge to allow for the accommodation of the DP designate.

In Parliament, a shake-up targeting MPs and Senators affiliated to Gachagua is in the offing.

Among steadfast allies of Gachagua are Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and his Embakasi Central counterpart Benjamin Gathiru, who sources say could be affected in the purge on House committee chairmanship and membership.

Gakuya, for instance, is the chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, but his reality could change in the wake of the new relationship between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga under the so-called broad-based government.

Gakuya and Gathiru were among the 44 MPs who opposed the impeachment Motion.

At the Senate, loyal supporters of the impeached DP could also face the music.

Senator John Methu (Nyandarua), Seki ole Lenku (Kajiado), Karungu Thang’wa ( Kiambu), James Murango (Kirinyaga)  and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) are some key allies of Gachagua.

“There are numerous rumours going around that those leaders that voted No during the impeachment motion against Gachagua are going to be removed from committees…If they were to remove me for standing with justice and the truth then it is okay…we have also been threatened and told that we will loose our positions in committees,” stated Thang’wa.

The Senator went on to explain that during the voting process on whether to impeach Gachagua last week, those perceived to be the DPs allies were cautioned and “directed” to vote “yes” if they were interested in retaining their committee position.

He however did not disclose by who.

“Will you be able to handle the truth if I tell you?” he posed when asked to substantiate his remarks.

He also reiterated that with him being the Senate transport committee chair – that is handling the controversial Adani issue- he would not be surprised if the powers that be engineered his removal at the helm.

“…I better remain as the Senator of Kiambu without any affiliation whatsoever as long as I have the floor,” added Thang’wa.

The Senator claimed that during the voting, those perceived to be DP’s allies were “directed” to vote Yes if they were interested in retaining their committee position.

He, however, did not disclose by who. “Will you be able to handle the truth if I tell you?” he said when asked to substantiate his remarks.

He also reiterated that as the chairman of the Senate Transport Committee, which is handling the controversial Adani issue, he would not be surprised if the powers that be engineered his removal.

On the flip side, Kindiki’s nomination to has sparked intense lobbying for the Interior Cabinet Secretary position that is expected to be declared vacant.

Sources reveal that seasoned leaders are angling to lead the powerful docket. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi are some of the names being mentioned as possible replacements for Kindiki.  Leader of Majority at the National Assembly and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah recently denied rumours that he too was eyeing the position.

Sources, however, indicated that President Ruto was keen on avoiding a by-election in the face of hostile voters.

“The President knows that the ground is hostile and that fielding a UDA candidate right now   in the Mt Kenya region is political suicide. Ichung’wah’s decline of the CS position is informed by this reality,” stated the source.

All eyes are now on the courts which –depending on how they rule- will determine on which side the chips fall.