Politically speaking, the role Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi played during the King’s visit has sent cold shivers down the spine of Mr Gachagua and his inner circle. The manner in which President Ruto introduced Mr Mudavadi to the King is a clear indication that MM is headed for a brighter political future at the expense of Mr Gachagua
By The Weekly Vision Team
The high-profile visit to Kenya by Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla seems to have opened a fresh can of worms in the country’s political arena due to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s absence from the King’s official program. Sources have told The Weekly Vision that the DP’s absence may have been a well-crafted plan by the State House, ostensibly to keep him away.
The DP only met the King briefly when he joined President Ruto and other senior government officials to welcome the Royal couple as they arrived at Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa. But what could have been the reason behind the DP’s sidelining? Was it because the president and his handlers did not wish that he met the King? The snub, according to analysts, speaks volumes and reveals so much about the president’s relationship with his deputy. After the snub, the big question now is: what are the potential consequences of Gachagua’s isolation for the stability and unity of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party?
Politically speaking, the role Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi played during the King’s visit has sent cold shivers down the spine of Mr Gachagua and his inner circle. The manner in which President Ruto introduced Mr Mudavadi to the King is a clear indication that MM is headed for a brighter political future at the expense of Mr Gachagua. It is also important to note that the presence of Azimio leader Raila Odinga at the state banquet hosted by President Ruto in honour of the King and Queen has also not been well received by the DP’s handlers. One thing that has remained a hard nut to crack among the DP’s allies is whether it was the president who willingly and voluntarily invited Raila Odinga to State House or the British government; either way, there is no way Mr Odinga would have gone to State House without an invite from the President himself.
Reports claim that the president personally extended an olive branch to Raila Odinga. Accompanying Mr. Odinga was Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, who is his confidante and a member of the ongoing bipartisan talks. The snub comes at a time when reports indicate that the international community has very little time for the DP over his reckless remarks and his push to sideline opposition zones in terms of development. It is suspected that the British sent a silent reservation to the Kenyan government against Gachagua having a one-on-one meeting with the King. Ruto, being a political genius and a shrewd politician, played his political cards well and made sure the DP was out of the country during the King’s visit.
Odinga’s presence at the state house also caught the DP unaware, going against his wish. The DP is on record vowing that Raila Odinga will never step into the State House as long as he is the second in command. His attendance was therefore well planned to show the DP that he does not have authority or control over who attends meetings at State House. Sources now say that Gachagua is under pressure from his handlers to stop suffering in silence and confront the president over the sour relationship between them. This might not happen soon, as the DP also knows any confrontation with his boss will send him into political oblivion.
