Ruto Allies Turn on Gachagua, Fueling Political Turmoil Ahead of 2027

The emerging rift between President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, driven by their allies, has laid bare Kenya’s ever-changing political landscape.

Most politicians who ardently defended President Ruto during his time as Deputy President in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration are now spearheading a conspicuous campaign against Gachagua.

This political faction seeks to replace Gachagua as Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 elections, with some even advocating for his resignation. Ironically, these leaders previously criticized Uhuru for undermining Ruto, accusing him of transferring his deputy’s roles to Cabinet Secretaries and other junior staff within the Jubilee administration.

They also charged Uhuru with isolating Ruto following the March 2018 handshake with Opposition leader Raila Odinga, which they claimed led to Ruto’s exclusion from key government meetings.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, now touted as a potential replacement for Gachagua in 2027, has been active in church fundraisers, presenting donations he claims are from the President, and is often accompanied by other elected leaders.

Although Nyoro has not directly attacked Gachagua, his allies argue that 2027 will be “Muranga’s time” to produce a Deputy President, citing generational change and positioning Nyoro as the best candidate to replace Gachagua.

Supporters of Nyoro assert that Murang’a deserves its turn, noting that while Kiambu and Nyeri have produced a Prime Minister, Presidents, and now Gachagua as Deputy President, Murang’a has yet to see such representation.

During Uhuru’s administration, Nyoro gained notoriety for his vocal support of DP Ruto. On January 13, 2020, Nyoro declared, “Despite the humiliation, state harassment, and isolation the Deputy President has faced, God willing he will make the best President Kenya has ever had.”

Nyoro continued, “Ruto will be the greatest President that God ever created. This country belongs to all of us, not just to a handful of billionaires.

Deputy President William Ruto is the principal assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta. Long gone is the era of Presidents mistreating their VPs. Uhuru must respect Ruto; he should not be misled by some imbeciles and power brokers.”

In January of this year, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu emphasized Murang’a’s need for national political recognition, suggesting that the electorate might forgive the President if he chose Nyoro as his running mate instead of adhering to “Gachagua’s divisive agenda.” Nyutu remarked, “Mt Kenya can’t afford to be in the hands of a condescending leader who goes about disparaging leaders’ names to higher authorities.”

He also proposed that the running mate position be determined through a nomination process rather than a presidential appointment.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu supported this sentiment, stating, “Women of Murang’a also give birth to leaders, and Nyoro is qualified enough to deputise Ruto and become a leader.”

Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru, after her dramatic shift from supporting Uhuru to Ruto on March 29, 2022, urged Uhuru to reconcile with Ruto to defuse national tension. She accused Jubilee leaders of creating a wedge between the two.

However, Waiguru has since turned her criticism toward Gachagua, accusing him of monopolizing the Deputy President’s office and discouraging political ambition. On X, she wrote, “Let us recognize the right of all, especially our women and our youth, to aspire to high office.

Let us hold their hands in mentorship on political and socioeconomic leadership. Everyone has a right to dream and pursue their dreams like those in current leadership dreamt and their dreams actualized by the support of millions of youth and women.”

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, who appears neutral in the Mt Kenya power struggle, was a vocal supporter of Ruto in the former administration.

On August 30, 2021, he criticized Jubilee members targeting those allied to Ruto, stating, “The President and his Deputy told us we could create a national party, and we believed that.

Now they are saying we should kick out some people from the party so that people resort to tribal parties. I want to assure all Kenyans that we can create a new Kenya under DP Ruto’s Presidency.”

Meanwhile, leaders from the Rift Valley, such as Roads Cabinet Secretary and former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who once defended Ruto against internal Jubilee dissent, have remained silent as the Mt Kenya divisions deepen.

Murkomen had previously asserted, “UhuRuto are conjoined twins currently facing the challenge of managing a captured opposition with us the members of Jubilee having a divergent opinion about it.

There are no corners and no shortcuts. Anyone unhappy with Ruto being the Deputy President can as well quickly resign from the Jubilee government. Period.”

As these political dynamics unfold, President Ruto has yet to publicly address the escalating tensions within his camp.