Drama as cracks in Ruto-Gachagua relationship become more evident

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned President William Ruto against betraying the Mount Kenya community, asserting that such a move would be met with hostility and hatred.

In a video that has recently surfaced online, Gachagua can be heard addressing a congregation in a church setting, where he emphasised the importance of trust and the aversion to betrayal within the Mount Kenya community.

“If you betray us, we will hate you,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua also reflected on the circumstances that led to Ruto’s estrangement from the government that they had jointly participated in forming, the Jubilee government led by the now-retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Gachagua emphasised that the Mount Kenya community had wholeheartedly supported Ruto, even though he hails from a different region.

“We don’t like betrayal,” Gachagua said. “This is the one we will uplift to show you we don’t like betrayal.”

Gachagua’s statements appear to be influenced by speculations that President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga may announce a reconciliation of their political differences, particularly in light of the forthcoming release of the report on dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza Government and Azimio la Umoja.

Gachagua has consistently expressed his opposition to the idea of a handshake and remains resolute in his stance.

Analysis:

Rigathi Gachagua’s statements are a clear indication of the political tensions that exist within the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. The Mount Kenya community is a key voting bloc in Kenya, and Gachagua’s warning to Ruto is a reminder of the high expectations that the community has of him.

It is also worth noting that Gachagua’s statements come at a time when there is growing speculation of a possible handshake between Ruto and Odinga. A handshake would be a major political development, and it would be interesting to see how Gachagua and the Mount Kenya community would react to such a move.