Feuding Ruto, Gachagua and the transactional Kenyan politics

President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the inauguration at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, on September 13, 2022. [File, Standard

President William Ruto’s sensational claim that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua demanded Sh10 billion to champion his cause in the Mount Kenya region has once again exposed the transactional nature of Kenyan politics.

In an interview with vernacular stations from the region Monday, Dr Ruto said that Gachagua had tried to blackmail him to drop plans to hinder Ruto’s reelection bid, accusing the former DP of picking constant fights with State functionaries.

“You know I can make you a one-term President if you do not do this and that. I need Sh10 billion… to mobilise for you in Mt Kenya,” the Head of State quoted Gachagua as saying, arguably implying that the former DP had intended to frustrate Ruto in Mt Kenya.