The tabling of an impeachment motion against Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, in parliament on Tuesday, 1st October 2024, has reawakened what was a simmering political row between him and the opposition chief, Raila Odinga. Mr. Odinga, despite not directly having anything to do with the impeachment motion this time, has inevitably been drawn into the controversy, as it comes shortly after his newfound consensus with the country’s top leadership, Dr. William Ruto. This is strikingly reminiscent of the occurrences in the previous administration. Odinga and then President Uhuru Kenyatta set aside their political differences to pursue a united front. Shortly after, his deputy began feeling ostracized from his administration and an irreparable fallout followed.
Political invader or victim of circumstances?
Perhaps Mr. Odinga fits both profiles, or maybe he is neither; merely used as an easier target in a fight for something else—political relevance, for example.
The Origin of this New Feud Between Gachagua and Odinga
Following election into office, and after the cost of living protests in March 2023, Deputy President Gachagua and Mr. Odinga were critical of each other. Frequent exchange of a series of scathing and attacks reigned. Gachagua vowing to stand guard at State House and set traps to prevent Odinga from securing a handshake deal in the Ruto administration, as had happened with Mr. Kenyatta. These attacks seemed to subside when rumors of Raila Odinga’s African Union Chairmanship bid began circulating and gained Mr. Ruto’s support.
In June and July 2024, there was widespread youth unrest and demonstrations in Kenya. The President, facing unrelenting calls for his resignation and a somewhat strained relationship with his Deputy starting to play out in public, is said to have sought Odinga’s intervention in quelling the protests.
Mr. Odinga to the rescue.
The President fires his cabinet and pledges to form a broad-based government to address the issues raised in the youth protests. A partial cabinet reshuffle follows with key opposition leaders being appointed to various ministries. These include the top leadership of Mr. Odinga’s Orange Democratic Party (ODM), with allegations pointing to the nominations having come from Mr. Odinga himself.
The Cabinet
We take a look at the final cabinet appointees of the broad-based government and their probable political leanings (to either Mr. Ruto, Mr. Gachagua, or Mr. Odinga) below;
Part 1
| Cabinet Secretary | Position | Political Affiliation |
| 1. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi E.G.H. | Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs | Mr. Odinga/Mr. Ruto |
| 2. Prof. Kithure Kindiki, E.G.H. | Interior and National Administration | Mr. Ruto |
| 3. Davis Chirchir, E.G.H. | Roads and Transport | Mr. Ruto |
| 4. Hassan Ali Joho, E.G.H | Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs | Mr. Odinga |
| 5. Aden Duale, E.G.H. | Environment, Climate Change and Forestry | Mr. Ruto |
| 6. Alice Wahome, E.G.H. | Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development | Mr. Ruto |
| 7. Dr. Alfred Mutua, E.G.H. | Labour and Social Protection | Mr. Ruto |
| 8. Julius Migos Ogamba | Education | Unknown/Mr. Ruto |
| 9. Rebecca Miano, E.G.H. | Tourism and Wildlife | Mr. Ruto |
| 10. Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen | Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports | Mr. Ruto |
| 11. Roselinda Soipan Tuya, E.G.H. | Defence | Mr. Ruto |
| 12. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, FCPA, E.G.H | Co-operatives and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development | Mr. Odinga |
Part 2
| Cabinet Secretary | Position | Political Affiliation |
| 13. John Mbadi Ng’ongo, E.G.H. | National Treasury and Economic Planning | Mr. Odinga |
| 14. Eric Muriithi Muuga | Water, Sanitation and Irrigation | Unknown/Mr. Gachagua |
| 15. Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa | Health | Unknown/Mr. Odinga/Mr. Ruto |
| 16. Salim Mvurya | Investments, Trade and Industry | Mr. Odinga/Mr. Ruto |
| 17. Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja, PhD. | Agriculture and Livestock Development | Unknown/Mr. Gachagua |
| 18. James Opiyo Wandayi, E.G.H | Energy and Petroleum | Mr. Odinga |
| 19. Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, PhD. | Information Communication and the Digital Economy | Unknown |
| 20. Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi, E.G.H. | Public Service and Human Capital Development | Unknown/Mr. Ruto |
| 21. Mercy Kiiru Wanjau | Secretary to the Cabinet | Unknown |
| 22. Ms. Beatrice Asukul Moe | East Africa Community and Regional Affairs | Unknown/Mr. Ruto |
| 23. Ms. Dorcas Agik Oduor SC, E.B.S., O.G.W. | Hon. Attorney-General | Unknown |
| 24. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H | President | Mr. Odinga |
It is evident that the deputy president’s influence in this cabinet was significantly reduced to accommodate, among others, the opposition chief’s political affiliates.
This move is seen as having further cemented Mr. Odinga and Mr. Ruto’s working relationship. It also officially marked Mr. Odinga’s entry into government, which Mr. Gachagua had repeatedly sworn to prevent. Could the deputy president have taken this in stride?
Many analysts speculated not.
Following their induction, the deputy president expressed his approval of the new cabinet and government structure.
He also peculiarly urged them to remain loyal to the President.
However, fresh speculations of unease within his support base began to intensify at this time.
Raila Odinga African Union Chairmanship Bid
Calm having somewhat returned in the country, the government renewed its push and support for Odinga’s AUC candidacy. In an event attended by various East African heads of state on 27th August, 2024, Mr. Odinga officially launched his AU campaign. He also officially received a pledge of full support and endorsement from the Ruto-led administration.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who graced the occasion, had to swallow his previous scathing remarks against Raila as he delivered his endorsement of Odinga for the AU top job.
Mr. Rigathi, while speaking to his supporters, later publicly apologized for having led the vilification of Uhuru Kenyatta for his support of Odinga. He described Odinga as a good man, citing his boss’s new truce with him. He also unreservedly declared Uhuru Kenyatta the Mt. Kenya Region’s kingpin.
Some political analysts detected sarcasm and doublespeak in his sentiments, amidst the growing rift with his party leader. Some previously affiliated lawmakers and government officials also growing more openly critical of the man.
Was he trying to cover his own behind?
Gachagua Impeachment Motion
In a series of television and radio interviews, Mr. Gachagua has expressed frustrations from various quarters of their administration.
Despite not directly targeting Mr. Ruto or Mr. Odinga in his speeches, he has explicitly blamed people close to the president for his woes. His supporters and other leaders have also decried the treatment of the embattled deputy president, comparing it to that of his predecessor, Deputy President William Ruto.
In a press conference by members of the 13th Parliament affiliated with the DP, led by the Maragwa Member of Parliament, Hon. Mary Wamaua, the leaders have strongly warned the ODM party and Raila Odinga. Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu declaring that if the impeachment motion passes, the people of Mt. Kenya will hold that ODM, led by Raila Amolo Odinga, was brought into the government solely to remove Rigathi Gachagua. They urged ODM lawmakers, under the leadership of their former party leader Odinga, to refrain from supporting the impeachment motion.
The leaders urged President William Ruto, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader, to stop the impeachment motion against their leader. Asserting that the president had the power to intervene.
In rebuttal, ODM lawmakers, led by Suba North constituency MP Milly Odhiambo, warned their counterparts against attacking Mr. Odinga. The MPs have stated that the former Prime Minister’s current focus is his AUC bid. They have further vowed to join other lawmakers in supporting the impeachment motion if an apology is not issued to Mr. Odinga and all further attacks are halted.
Do you foresee a repeat of the Uhuru-Ruto fallout following Odinga’s entry into the Ruto and Gachagua administration?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
