How Uhuru and Gachagua are Engaging in a Strategic Dance of ‘Cat and Mouse’

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua engaged in a cat-and-mouse game on Saturday, avoiding a direct encounter at a funeral event in Othaya, Nyeri County.

The presence of both leaders at the burial of former Deputy Inspector General of Police, King’ori Mwangi, in Ndugamano village, Othaya, at different times created an image of leaders playing a strategic game to avoid face-to-face interactions.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Gachagua attended a joint funeral for 17 people who died after consuming poisoned alcohol in Kirinyaga County. The mass burial took place in Kandongu village, Kirinyaga, where Gachagua expressed his disappointment with government officials collaborating with illegal alcohol sellers.

Once again, he issued a stern warning to chiefs and other grassroots leaders, blaming them for laxity at work, which has allowed the illegal sale of alcohol to persist in the Mount Kenya region.

During the morning hours, Mr. Kenyatta and several politicians were present at Mr. Mwangi’s funeral, which had already commenced.

Sources informed Taifa Jumapili that it was unclear whether Mr. Gachagua would attend Mwangi’s funeral, especially since he had visited the area on Friday alongside President William Ruto.

“Many did not expect Mr. Gachagua to show up, given the significance of the Kirinyaga event, considering he has been leading the fight against illegal alcohol in the Mount Kenya region,” mentioned a political insider.

However, when it became known that Mr. Gachagua was on his way to attend the burial, Mr. Kenyatta and his allies promptly left and headed to Kipipiri, Nyandarua County, to attend the funeral of the wife of former minister Amos Kimunya, Mrs. Lucy Kimunya.

At Mr. Mwangi’s burial, Mr. Kenyatta refrained from making any political statements when he rose to address the gathering. Instead, he praised Mr. Mwangi as a heroic figure dedicated to his work.

He was accompanied by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, Anne Kananu (who succeeded Mr. Sonko as governor), former Deputy Governor of Nyeri, Dr. Caroline Karugu, and former Women’s Representative Rachael Shebesh.

Gachagua and his associates arrived later, after Mr. Kenyatta had left. When he rose to address the attendees, Gachagua stated that he had no issues with Mr. Kenyatta.

Gachagua mentioned, ‘I would have loved to meet with the former president. However, I was at another funeral event in Kirinyaga, though it took longer than expected. I was informed he had left and attended another function. I wanted to come and greet him because it’s been a while. I wanted to tell him that all is well, and there are no existing issues. He is our elder brother and son.’

‘We had minor differences, but that is in the past. The election is over, and we have a new government. He is our leader. I wanted to tell him that we love him and pray for him,’ he added.

The two had a notable falling out during the August 9, 2022, General Election.