Deputy minority leader and Kathiani Member of Parliament Robert Mbui believes that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's recent silence is due to a potential sideline in the next election cycle.
Mbui believes Gachagua's absence from the political frontlines is due to a series of events that have weakened his political influence in the country.
Mbui cited President William Ruto's hint that he will be running with a female running mate while emphasizing his commitment to implementing the two-thirds gender rule in his administration.
The legislator stated that Ruto's sentiments may have rubbed DP Gachagua the wrong way, and his chances of retaining his position as second-in-command have since dimmed.
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"After he issued those statements and the women cheered him wildly he remembered his deputy is male so he quickly said 'Now after we discuss this with the DP' but he had already let the cat out of the bag that he is considering to look for an alternative running mate," he said.
"That is one of the things that the DP has noticed that he may not be the running mate in the future."
Mbui also stated that Gachagua is losing popularity in the Mt Kenya region, citing more popular and younger leaders who have impressed the masses.
"There are a number of very young members of parliament that are walking around and they seem to be making inroads all over and they seem to be even more popular than the DP in parts of central Kenya," he added. This comes amid fallout speculation between DP Gachagua and President Ruto, which has elicited a rebuttal from Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who has stated that the people of the Mt. Kenya region will not tolerate Gachagua's mistreatment.
He also stated that Gachagua was not appointed to his current position but instead elected like any other leader and deserves to be respected.
"Disrespect to Gachagua is disrespect to the mountain, and vice versa. Those trying to bring bad blood between the president and his deputy, we are warning you," a fiery Mutahi added.
On Sunday, Gachagua made his first public appearance in over a week, attending a church service in Endarasha, Nyeri County.
