By The Weekly Vision Team
A rift between President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, which was once seen by many as a rumour, has now been revealed to the public. Despite the two avoiding face-to-face confrontations, the president and his deputy seem to have instructed their lieutenants to act on their behalf, with verbal attacks against each other rising by the day.
Political pundits contend that the verbal attacks may have been engineered by some members of the president and the DP’s kitchen cabinets. Those from the president’s side are said to have been busy strategizing to weaken the Deputy President’s position, much to the disappointment of his close associates from the Mount Kenya region.
The president’s trusted circle of men and women wield considerable power and are instrumental in shaping the policies of his Kenya Kwanza administration. Farouk Kibet, the president’s assistant, is known for his resolute defence of his boss against any form of criticism. He has in the past boldly faced off against the DP and his supporters against any form of criticism directed at the president, whether directly or indirectly.
Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, another key ally of the president, is known for his staunch support and willingness to defend the president at any cost. Last weekend, he didn’t hesitate to challenge the Deputy President urging him to show the president the respect he deserves. It is rumoured that Mr Sudi and the DP had a huge rift after it was disclosed that the DP and his allies had benefited from a multimillion-shilling garbage collection contract at Nairobi’s City Hall.
Within Ruto’s inner circle are Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichungwa; they hold significant positions and are some of the president’s most trusted lieutenants and key members of his kitchen cabinet, representing the mountain region. They are well-known for their unwavering support for the president, consistently defending his decisions while simultaneously criticizing the Deputy President. Notably, there is speculation surrounding Nyoro’s potential candidacy as Ruto’s running mate in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary, is famously known for being a strong advocate for Ruto within the mountain area. He shares a discordant relationship with the Deputy President. Additionally, Dennis Itumbi and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, who are part of Ruto’s inner circle, are always prepared to defend the president while criticizing the DP. While attending a function in Kakamega, Kiunjuri, as the chief guest during a funds drive, I strongly condemned Gachagua, alleging that his weak leadership style was responsible for the turmoil in the Mt. Kenya region.
Kiunjuri challenged the DP to shape up or ship out of government. “You are in government, elected on a Kenya Kwanza ticket; you must respect the sitting president because there can only be one leader at a time,” Kinjuri said without elaborating. Standing in solidarity with the Deputy President is Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga. He has openly dared leaders from the Rift Valley to plan the DP’s removal from office. Governor Kahiga is a fearless politician who has repeatedly defended the DP with great courage.
During a public meeting recently, Kahiga claimed that the Mount Kenya leaders would not sit and watch the DP be humiliated the way Ruto was when he was in the same position. “We will not allow this to happen, kama mbaya mbaya. It will not be business as usual. You will not humiliate our son under our watch,” warned Kahiga.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a staunch ally of the Deputy President, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Deputy President’s interests within the capital city. It was Gakuya who disclosed the tender award received by Sudi at City Hall to Governor Johnson Sakaja. During a public rally attended by the DP, Gakuya said, “We know who has sent these people and will soon expose them. We are not cowards, and our silence should not be taken as a weakness.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, a trusted associate of the Deputy President, has spoken out in defence of the DP, alleging that certain government officials are sowing discord between the president and his deputy.
