President Ruto is expected to attend a G7 meeting in Kirinyaga after his official trip to the U.S., an event organized by Women Governors, with Waiguru as the host. Political discussions are anticipated to be a focal point of this gathering
A faction within President William Ruto’s inner circle is increasingly advocating for the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggesting a growing consensus that his time in office should come to an end. Uasin Gishu County Women’s Representative Gladys Shollei has emerged as a prominent voice in this movement, alongside Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, who is often seen as Ruto’s spokesperson.
Shollei has publicly committed to leading the campaign against Gachagua, leveraging her position as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. It appears that the impeachment motion is already being formulated, with only the execution phase remaining. Analysts believe President Ruto has sufficient support in Parliament to facilitate Gachagua’s removal.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that Gachagua’s close allies are preparing a legal strategy to contest the impeachment if it proceeds. The Deputy President’s legal team plans to seek a High Court order to suspend the impeachment process until the case is resolved, allowing him to maintain his position in the interim.
If the High Court rules in favour of the impeachment, the matter could advance to the Court of Appeal and potentially the Supreme Court. Alternatively, if Gachagua feels he cannot secure a fair trial, he may consider resigning to avoid the humiliation of impeachment. Resignation would preserve his eligibility for future public office, as a successful impeachment would bar him from running again.
A key question remains: if Gachagua is ousted, who will Ruto choose as his next deputy? Political analysts note that Ruto has indicated a preference for a female running mate in future elections, having stated this on multiple occasions. While Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki is seen as a potential candidate for the Mount Kenya leadership role, analysts suggest he would have little chance of being appointed Deputy President if Gachagua is removed.
Silence on the rift between Ruto and Gachagua has been maintained by some politicians, including Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, who could be positioning herself as a successor. Ruto is expected to attend a G7 meeting in Kirinyaga after his official trip to the U.S., an event organized by Women Governors, with Waiguru as the host. Political discussions are anticipated to be a focal point of this gathering.
Will Ruto support Waiguru as his next deputy? To retain support from the Mount Kenya West region, Ruto may prioritize appointing a successor from there. His inner circle believes that backing Waiguru, who is in her second and final term as governor, is a strategic move. This would allow her to resign and assume the Deputy President role, even in a caretaker capacity, until 2027. Analysts argue that accepting the deputy position for a three-year term could enhance Waiguru’s political standing.
