The political rift between President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua became evident in Nyeri, Gachagua's home turf, when the DP notably skipped a key event. The seat reserved for him next to President Ruto remained empty throughout the church service at AIPCA Central Western Archdiocese.
In a direct critique of his deputy, President Ruto urged Gachagua to stop early campaigning for the 2027 elections and focus on delivering the government's promises to Kenyans. “Let’s reduce the talk about 2027. God and the people will decide that when the time comes... You were not elected for 2027, were you?” Ruto remarked.
The tension escalated as the president, visibly frustrated, warned Gachagua against shifting his focus to the 2027 presidential race, which is still three years away. “Let’s concentrate on fulfilling our promises to the people, not 2027. And if God decides otherwise, what will you do then?”
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The friction between the two leaders had already been ignited earlier by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. Speaking at a church service in Nairobi, Ichung’wah called for Gachagua’s removal, comparing him to a snake clinging to its master’s hand. “That viper on your hand, the snake in your government, shake it off. Not because it can’t bite you, but so you can work freely,” Ichung’wah urged.
Despite the rising political tensions in Gachagua’s stronghold, his close ally, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, refrained from defending the DP and instead pledged his loyalty to President Ruto.
This growing political isolation of DP Gachagua has seen more leaders distancing themselves from him and shifting their allegiance to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
