By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's potential exit from President William Ruto's government could be a blessing in disguise. As an insider, Gachagua may expose the government's inner workings, revealing wrongdoing and shedding light on contentious issues such as universal medical insurance, university education funding, and constitutional amendments proposed by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei to extend presidential term limits.
When faced with downfall, few individuals wish to sink solo; instead, they often seek to take others down with them. DP Gachagua will not be optional.
The planned leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the Adani Group for 30 years may face increased scrutiny now that a government insider, soon to lose power, is aware of the airport takeover's controversy. The deal with the Indian conglomerate has garnered widespread attention and opposition from Kenyans who demand the government reverse it.
With the government insider potentially revealing insider information, the controversy surrounding the airport takeover is likely to intensify. This development may shed more light on the deal's implications, including concerns over job losses, fiscal risks, and the country's ability to finance the airport's expansion without resorting to a long-term lease to a foreign entity.
With nothing to lose, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may unleash a whistleblower bombshell, exposing secrets and implicating top officials. Given his insider knowledge and involvement in President William Ruto's government since May 2022, Gachagua's revelations could be explosive. His exit from the inner circle comes at a time when the administration is already reeling from allegations of extrajudicial killings, abductions, corruption, nepotism, and unequal wealth distribution. Despite being at the centre of controversy with statements that left many Kenyans uneasy, Gachagua has surprisingly garnered sympathy from Generation X Kenyans.
In political circles, he is in good books with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Meru governor Peter Munya and current governor of Nyeri, which is also his home turf Mutahi Kahiga.
Despite controversy surrounding Gachagua's past, including pending court cases over alleged fund misappropriation and theft, many Kenyans surprisingly sympathize with him. These allegations, coupled with controversies plaguing the current government, have fueled widespread unease among Kenyans. Gachagua's exit may have far-reaching consequences, reshaping Kenya's political landscape and potentially exposing shocking government secrets.
Gachagua's potential exit from President Ruto's government may not be the clear-cut victory some think. As a wealthy and influential individual, Gachagua has the resources to shape public opinion, particularly among young people. He might emerge as an unlikely ally for Gen Z, leveraging his platform to rebrand himself and potentially challenge those he left behind in power.
With his outspoken and aggressive style of politics, Gachagua could prove to be a formidable force. President Ruto should take heed: escaping one challenge only to face an even greater one.
The real drama begins when Gachagua becomes a regular citizen, and only time will tell how this unfolds. His ability to reveal insider information could shake the very foundations of the government. If I were President Ruto, I would not celebrate Gachagua's exit just yet.
Kenyans may soon uncover the truth about many wrongdoings within the government, including who has embezzled funds, core details of (JKIA) takeover, and the motivations behind President Ruto's changes to public expenditure structures, such as the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and university funding. This transparency could be thanks to Deputy President Gachagua’s potential exit from the government.
As Gachagua becomes a whistleblower, he may gain popularity among ordinary Kenyans, who have been affected by the government's alleged corruption and economic mismanagement. With nothing to lose, Gachagua may expose the government's wrongdoing, making him a darling of the masses. The damning revelation that may send shockwaves in the Kenyan political terrain is if Gachagua decides to reveal the recent abductions and extra-judicial killing whose memories are still fresh in the memories of Kenyans. Secondly, the mystery of the 2022 Presidential election where Raila Odinga lost to Ruto is likely to feature in Gachagua’s revelation.
The looming rift between President Ruto and his deputy may become contentious and messy, echoing the dramatic removal of Moses Wetangula as Senate Minority Leader by the ODM Party in 2018. Interestingly, Wetangula later backed Ruto's 2022 presidential bid and now serves as National Assembly Speaker under Ruto's presidency.
President Ruto's grip on power may loosen as he faces the looming threat of losing support from Central Kenya, a vital voting bloc that has been his stronghold since he won the Presidency in 2022. The days ahead promise to be nothing short of explosive, with shocking revelations and scandals unfolding like a gripping drama that will captivate the nation. As the curtain draws open, Kenyans will finally glimpse the true nature of their government, and it may be too late for Ruto's administration to recover from the impending fallout.
This is a critical moment in Kenya's history, considering the country's complex past, marked by significant events like the Mau Mau revolution and the transition to multiparty democracy. The potential consequences of Ruto's losing support will be far-reaching, impacting his presidency and the nation's future political alliances.
Nyaringo is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby based in the US
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