A plan to oust Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, hatched behind closed doors, reportedly saw President William Ruto enlist several Mt Kenya politicians in a high-stakes mobilization effort.
Sources indicate that two Mt Kenya governors and a prominent politician from Laikipia County were promised high-ranking positions if they successfully coordinated support for Gachagua’s impeachment.
Each ally, who was privately assured a pathway to the deputy presidency, worked to mobilize MPs and senators for the effort, believing their political futures were secure under Ruto’s direction.
However, in the aftermath of the Senate vote that removed Gachagua from office, the situation quickly took an unexpected turn. Calls to State House went unanswered, and access for these allies was suddenly restricted. The official explanation cited heightened security concerns, yet insiders suggest it was a move to distance key players from sensitive post-impeachment arrangements.
A female governor who attempted to meet with Ruto at State House was reportedly denied entry, while the other Mt Kenya governor sought clarity from a key opposition leader regarding his standing with the president.
The climax of these surprises came when President Ruto ultimately appointed Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President, a decision that blindsided all those involved in the initial power struggle. The announcement stunned Ruto’s allies in the Mt Kenya region, particularly those anticipating the deputy position. The move shattered assumptions and created disappointment among those who had been led to believe they were the frontrunners for the role.
In response to Ruto’s choice, most Mt Kenya MPs, along with the disgruntled allies, chose to boycott Kindiki’s swearing-in ceremony. The absence of these regional leaders was a notable statement of discontent, with several expressing disappointment over the unfulfilled promises.
The fallout has left political watchers questioning the long-term impact of the maneuver on Ruto’s alliances within the Mt Kenya region, as the dust begins to settle on one of the most dramatic political reshuffles in recent history.
