Aftermath of Ruto-Raila union as wings of Gachagua’s allies clipped
By James Wanjiku, March 15, 2025President William Ruto’s recent political realignment with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has triggered a major realignment in Mt Kenya’s leadership within the National Assembly.
Several key leaders, perceived to been aligned to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have been ousted from top positions in parliamentary committees – a move that has ignited heated debate.
Lawmakers believed to have enjoyed Gachagua’s backing in their committee appointments were removed and replaced with MPs who supported his impeachment motion in Parliament.
The development has sparked backlash, with some leaders from the vote-rich Mt Kenya accusing President Ruto of betraying those who propelled him into power. Nyeri Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga, in an interview with PD Weekendi, described the reshuffle as part of a broader strategy to sideline Mt Kenya leaders from the government.
“Nobody is complaining because this was expected. It is the ultimate price for standing with our people. One undeniable fact is that two years down the line, President Ruto has unashamedly betrayed those who put him in power,” said Dr Kahiga.
He recalled Ruto’s heavy campaign presence in Mt Kenya, where he frequently visited, invoked Christian messages, and quoted the Bible.
Political loyalty
“While he used to spend every week in our region singing praise songs and quoting Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, he no longer comes here. Instead, he has labeled Mt Kenya people as tribal, self-centered, and sensationalists. The people he once called ‘wachawi’ (witches), ‘wazee wa vitendawili’ (elders of riddles), and ‘Uhuru Kenyatta’s projects’ are now running his government,” he lamented.
Political analyst Dr Philip Chebunet argues that government appointments have historically favoured those who demonstrate unwavering loyalty.
“Governments prioritise loyalty to execute their manifesto. The late President Daniel Moi ruled for 24 years without support from certain regions,” Dr Chebunet, a lecturer at the University of Eldoret, noted.
When asked why some Mt Kenya leaders were overlooked in the recent reshuffle, he responded: “The lines have been drawn. Some leaders are seen as hypocrites. They may be rewarded elsewhere.”
Next move
Governor Kahiga maintains that President Ruto has orchestrated his own problems by sidelining Mt Kenya.
“There is nothing much we can do to help because President Ruto is the architect of his own misery. Had he listened to advice, he wouldn’t be in this hole. Now, Raila is claiming that Ruto approached him, not the other way around. Let’s see his next move,” Dr Kahiga said.
He had free advise for the Head of State.
“My two cents to the President – when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Your Excellency, get back to work and fulfill your promises to Kenyans,” he advised.
MPs from Nyeri County who strongly backed Gachagua’s impeachment were notably absent from the reshuffle. Nyeri is the backyard of the former DP. Before the National Assembly voted on Gachagua’s impeachment, MPs Rahab Mukami (Woman Representative), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) had publicly vowed to oppose the motion.
In contrast, those who supported his removal—including MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Maina Mathenge (Nyeri Town), and Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), along with Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga—secured strategic positions in parliamentary committees.
Following the impeachment, Wamatinga replaced Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, a Gachagua ally, on the influential Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge accused the former Deputy President of failing to support leaders from his stronghold in securing key parliamentary positions.
On the spot
“When Gachagua was DP, we sought his help to secure at least one committee chairmanship, but he declined, insisting he alone represented Nyeri in government,” claimed Mathenge.
He further alleged that Gachagua restricted Nyeri leaders’ access to President Ruto, making it difficult for them to lobby for development projects.
“We had a leader who claimed he was being persecuted for championing development for his people, but there is nothing to show for it. The truth must be told,” Mathenge added.
Several of Gachagua’s loyalists lost their leadership roles and were reassigned to less influential committees.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was removed as chair of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) and reassigned to the Members Services Committee. Embakasi North MP John Gakuya lost his position as chair of the Trade Committee and was transferred to the Broadcasting Committee.
Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba was ousted as chair of the Labour Committee and moved to CIOC.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was removed as vice chair of the Lands Committee and transferred to the Members Services and Facilities Committee.
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo was reassigned from the Energy, Forest, and Mining Committee to the Parliamentary Broadcast and Library Committee.
Speaking last Sunday at ACK Holy Trinity Kitengela Church in Kajiado, Gachagua condemned the purge and urged the government to cease sidelining his allies.
“Many of those removed from committee leadership positions campaigned tirelessly for Kenya Kwanza in the last election. I am surprised that some Mt Kenya leaders support this move,” he said.
In a recent phone call from Nyandarua Senator John Methu during a public event in Nyeri, Gachagua took aim at leaders who supported his impeachment, warning that voters would reject them in future elections.
“The leaders who stood by me, like Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, deserve your support. Those who betrayed us will face the voters’ judgment,” he declared.