Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may soon find himself heading back to Mathira via an impeachment process, with his chances of avoiding this outcome looking increasingly slim unless President William Ruto steps in. While Gachagua is likely to secure a severance package, the fate of his personal assistants, office aides, and close associates remains uncertain.
A closer analysis suggests that the impeachment could lead to the dismissal of many individuals linked to the Deputy President, starting with his contracted advisors. Standard procedure dictates that when an appointed authority is removed, the incoming official typically brings in their team, leading to the termination of existing contracts.
First on the list is Ngunjiri Wambugu, Gachagua’s political advisor and former Member of Parliament for Nyeri Town. Once a key ally of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Wambugu lost his seat after aligning with Raila Odinga’s Azimio coalition in the last elections. After Ruto and Gachagua came to power, Wambugu switched allegiance and was appointed as Gachagua’s political advisor. He then launched a campaign against politicians from both Jubilee and UDA whom he viewed as hostile to the Deputy President, which earned him many adversaries in the Mount Kenya region.
George Theuri, former Embakasi West MP and youth advisor to Gachagua, is also likely to depart if the impeachment proceeds. Theuri, who failed to secure a third term, found a position within Gachagua’s camp. However, he too is currently under investigation by the DCI and DPP for alleged money laundering and inciting Generation Z in the June demonstrations.
Another figure facing uncertainty is Gachagua’s private secretary, Munene wa Mumbi, who serves on a contractual basis and may lose her position if Gachagua is ousted. Additionally, many principal secretaries, CEOs of state corporations, and board members of parastatals who owe their positions to Gachagua could see their appointments terminated.
The new Deputy President will likely bring in their team, potentially resulting in widespread job losses at Gachagua’s Karen office. Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, a close ally of Gachagua, also faces a precarious political future. Muchiri was appointed as Deputy Governor after President Ruto backed Johnson Sakaja for Nairobi Governor. However, tensions have risen between Sakaja and Muchiri, with Sakaja accusing him of being more loyal to Gachagua than to the county.
A faction of Mount Kenya politicians is pushing for Muchiri to run for governor in 2027, but Gachagua’s potential exit from politics could hinder Muchiri’s prospects and even leave him vulnerable to removal from City Hall.
