Constitutional lawyer and digital activist Ahmednassir Abdullahi has claimed that Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is a lonely man in the new broad- based cabinet.
Taking to X, the former President of the Law Society of Kenya shared a verbose post, in which he justified his opinion as to why Mr. Gachagua is all but a loner in the new setup featuring leaders from both opposition coalition and ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Formally dubbed as Government of National Unity -GNU, this new arrangement has seen former Governors Ali Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, who are also co-deputy party leaders of ODM – a principal party of Azimio coalition – appointed to plum Ministries of Mining and SMEs respectively.
Additionally, former Suba Constituency MPJohn Mbadi and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi are also among leaders from ODM to be appointed to the Cabinet. Mbadi is the national chairman for ODM while Mr. Wandayi is the minority leader in the National Assembly.
It has been alleged that prior to the announcement, Mr. Gachagua was kept in the dark with the information on who was going to appear on the list.
In the weeks leading to the unrest caused by protesting youths, Gachagua’s allies had hinted at ailing relationship between himself and President William Ruto, in what could be reminiscent of the infamous Uhu-Ruto fallout the days post hand shake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and veteran opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has consistently reminded Mr. Ruto of the days of his predicament, insisting that the President should treat Mr. Gachagua with respect, as he promised during campaign.
If Mr. Abdullahi’s claims are anything to go by, then it could be a step of caution taken by President William Ruto, in anticipation for any attempt by his Deputy to sabotage his leadership.
The lack of allies in the Cabinet, Mr. Abdullahi claims means that Mr. Gachagua is ‘fatally wounded’ and well headed into political oblivion. This is exercebated by Musalia Mudavadi’s elevated position,
Among the CSs who were in the previous cabinet but not reinstated include Simon Chelugui, Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria, Njuguna Ndung’u, Penina Malonza, Zechariah Njeru, Eliud Owalo, Mithika Linturi,Ababu Namwamba, Ezekiel Machogu, Florence Bore and Susan Nakhumicha.
