“Kenya is a company with stocks!” How Rigachi Gachagua dug his own grave

One lesson that Mr. Gachagua’s 766-day reign may not have taught us is that power is temporary. This is epitomized by how his political career is in trouble after the case was decided in the Senate on Thursday and quickly decided in Congress the following week. morning.

Gachagua’s only hope now is that the court will suspend the Senate’s impeachment resolution and the subsequent National Assembly’s decision to ratify it until October 24, 2024, and also block Democratic Progressive Party candidate Kitule Kindiki from taking office. It’s in

His political bromance with his former boss, President William Ruto, has now turned into a fierce rivalry, reminding him of how presidents have slashed their ranks in the past.

What exactly went wrong for the mountain man? Let’s take a trip down memory lane:

Gachagua’s speech at the inauguration of Kenya’s Kwanzaa government left an indelible mark that some say exposed the country’s dirty linens to regional and international leaders.

In his speech, he painted a harsh picture of the dire economic situation, blaming former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government for leaving the economy in ruins. He assured Kenyans that “freedom has finally come.”

This speech provoked mixed reactions and irritated many, earning him the nickname “The Man of Truth.”

Critics said Gachagua should have learned from his former boss Ruto how to navigate uncharted waters as vice president.

During the first period of the Jubilee regime, Ruto and Uhuru enjoyed friendship and there was a perception that their union would stand the test of time.

But after Uhuru’s symbolic handshake with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, things turned sour.

Although often regarded as a strategist, critics opine that Ruto spent time studying his then-superior while laying the foundations for his then-master plan.

He began to consolidate enough of his henchmen in Congress and draw them into a new political group called the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Through the ‘hustler’ story, Ruto was endeared to the common Mwananchi at the grassroots and eventually succeeded Uhuru in the 2022 elections.

Fast forward to today, Gachagua was perceived as rallying the Mount Kenya region to secure votes ahead of the 2027 elections. Many believed this brought him into conflict with President Ruto.

“Let’s focus on delivering the promise to the people of Kenya…not in 2027…na sasa mungu akiamua mambo yake ingine, uta do?” Ruto posed on September 15 I took it.

Furthermore, Gachagua was criticized for his harsh tone, with some claiming that he hurt people in the wrong way.

Has Gachagua maintained that he has no intention of changing his honest character and wise tactics, or is he playing Russian roulette with his political career?

In particular, his controversial statements about shareholding became his Achilles heel, as he openly revealed that government appointments were actually property for those who voted for the then government.

“This government is a company that owns stocks. Some owners have the majority of the stock, and some owners only have a few shares. You invested in this government, and you have to reap it. You have sown, you have plowed, you have planted.” Fertilizer and irrigation have been applied and now it is time to reap,” Gachagua said in Kericho on February 19, 2023.

President Ruto’s aides used the remarks as ammunition to attack Gachagua, arguing that they had the potential to divide the country.

Leaders such as MP Kimani Ichunwa are firing guns to punish “men of truth”.

Ichunwa said on August 29, 2024, “We will never again allow our leaders to divide our people based on their place of origin or political affiliation for their own personal or sectarian interests.”

Their differences appear to have come to light on June 9, 2024, when Gachagua broke protocol during the Akorino National Conference in Nakuru, arriving an hour after President Ruto had calmed down.

Protocol stipulates that individuals who arrive after the president should not be allowed to enter the venue. Democrats are also required to welcome the president at events.

Gachagua’s tardiness raised questions about whether he was intentionally taken off the schedule for the day or whether he was intentionally late. Despite their apologies, this act was a clear sign of their irrevocable differences.

“Mr. President, first of all, I would like to ask for your forgiveness.” FoI’m going to be late. I’m not an undisciplined person. As you well know, I am a uniformed police officer and the most disciplined person in your government,” Gachagua said at the event.

After the Kenyan Kwanzaa victory, Gachagua declared himself Ruto’s keeper and reaffirmed his commitment to protect Ruto from the advance of Raila.

He claimed that Raila had a knack for warming his path to power. He vowed to set traps in every corner of the state capitol.

“Leave it to me to protect the president. If anyone tries to get close to the Capitol, I’ve set traps on every route they could take. There’s no way they can get through. So, don’t worry. Nothing,” Gachagua said in 2023.

This plan ultimately failed when President Ruto met with Raila in Uganda to discuss Raila’s candidacy for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

All past incidents led to confusing speculations, but Gachagua admitted this incident in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, as if opening an elusive Pandora’s box.

He shouted expletives and said the action was a prank and aimed at discrediting the performance of his duties.

“If I don’t attend a presidential event, it could be seen as derelict in my duties, so there’s a prank to remove me from the presidential diary. That was one of the grounds for impeachment. I listen. Sometimes they ask me to be late so that I come across as rude,” he said.

He also accused the president of supporting his own impeachment motion, arguing that an impeachment motion cannot see the light of day without the approval of the head of state.

Interestingly, Ruto and Gachagua have not played a joint role in recent weeks. Many believe that the duo’s relationship is currently on its deathbed.