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Early this year, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and one Francis Ngotho Maina were inseparable. Ngotho for all intents and purposes was the then DP’s right hand man, alongside current Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga.

While Ngotho was Gachagua’s official personal assistant from his days as Mathira MP and later as deputy president, Wamatinga was the DP’s eyes and ears in the constituency, serving as the chairman of the Mathira National Government-CDF (NG-CDF) committee, of course at Gachagua’s behest.

Those in the know claim that were it not for Gachagua’s political muscle and deep pockets, Wamatinga would never have made it to the Senate during the 2022 General Election.

For as President William Ruto’s running mate, Gachagua was the political kingmaker in Nyeri county and by extension, the larger Mt. Kenya. You were either with him or on your own, so they say. Those who stood in his way like then Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu and his then Kieni counterpart Kanini Kega, were all swept into political oblivion.

It is not clear how then Gachagua and Ngotho, and later Wamatinga, fell out, as did many other serving MPs in Nyeri county and beyond.

When Ngotho resurfaced

Those closely associated with the former DP confess that it took them quite a while to realise Ngotho was no longer at Harambee Annexe or the DP’s official Karen residence.

“We did not realise he (Ngotho) was gone, it took us some months to realise he was no longer part of the DP’s entourage,” reveals a close aide.

Then came the impeachment motion, first in the National Assembly in the second week of October and in the Senate, on the fateful October 18 night. Five days later, on October 23, Ngotho resurfaced, but now on the other side of the political divide. A brief letter from State House, announced Ngotho’s return.

“I am pleased to convey the decision of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Kenya that your appointment in the Office of the Deputy President be varied and you be appointed in the grade of Deputy Director, Communications CSG 6/JG ‘R’ on Local Agreement Terms of service for an initial period of three years in the Executive Office of the President with effect from October 21, 2024 tied to the tenure of His Excellency the President.”

And with that, Ngotho was back, and in a big way. The fallout between Gachagua and Wamatinga was a bit more clearer, with the senator voting in favour of the former’s impeachment in the Senate, as did several MPs from Nyeri county in the National Assembly.

For his troubles, it would appear, Wamatinga was recently appointed to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) as the purge targeting Gachagua’s surrogates gained momentum.

But it was not until last weekend that the duo came out to explain why they fell out, or to Gachagua’s sidekicks, betrayed their erstwhile political godfather.

Speaking on Sunday at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kirai, Othaya, the two leaders defended their support for Gachagua’s impeachment, saying it was necessary for the greater good of Mt Kenya residents. 

Wamatinga said his decision to support Gachagua’s removal was not taken lightly but was driven by a need to ensure development for Nyeri and the wider Mt Kenya. 

Difficult decision

“The decision to support the ouster of my friend (Gachagua) was difficult but necessary. We worked hard to form this government, and we cannot be the ones leading the criticism. Our focus must be on unity and development,” Wamatinga stated. 

The senator also pledged his unwavering support for President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urging Mt Kenya leaders to set aside tribal politics and embrace national unity. 

“We support leaders who prioritise unity and development over divisive tribal politics. I will continue working with the current deputy president to serve all Kenyans equally. We want to serve all Kenyans because the country belongs to all of us,” he said. 

Wamatinga commended President Ruto for his recent meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasising the importance of fostering national unity.

He also appealed to the president to incorporate leaders from the previous regime, such as former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, into his government. 

“We support the meeting between President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the purpose of unity of this country. We are pleading with the President to bring on board, in his government, other leaders who worked with Uhuru Kenyatta like Mutahi Kagwe. They are performers and will greatly assist him (President) in serving our people,” Wamatinga said.

The lawmaker said he made a bold decision to join other Nyeri leaders to lobby President Ruto to gazette Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya as a fully-fledged independent parastatal and delinked from its annex – Kenyatta National Hospital.

Ngotho on his part accused Gachagua of stifling development initiatives in Nyeri, particularly criticising his past dismissal of calls to prioritise funding for the Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital. 

“When Wamatinga lobbied for resources for the hospital, Gachagua called his efforts ‘matope’ (trash). If advocating for development for our people is seen as trash, then perhaps it’s time to seek a new leader who truly prioritises the interests of Mt Kenya,” Ngotho said. 

The former aide also dismissed Gachagua’s claims that he will lead the region in determining its political direction ahead of the 2027 General Elections. 

Height of betrayal

“Let no one deceive you that they alone will determine the path for Mt Kenya. We need unity and development, not divisive rhetoric,” Ngotho added. 

But in a sharp rejoinder, Gachagua’s allies, led by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, branded the duo’s actions as the height of betrayal.

“These are fellows looking for a way to assuage what was a fundamental betrayal of a man who was their friend and leader and who they had worked with closely for many years,” Wambugu hit out.

“Wamatinga, before he became a senator, was CDF Chair of Mathira, a post he was given by Rigathi Gachagua. He worked closely with Gachagua and even got work from government because of that association. Gachagua also played a major role in him becoming senator. He then betrayed him in the Senate.

“He even lied (that) he was Gachagua’s estranged brother-in-law to justify his betrayal, as was quoted by (Kisii) Senator Richard Onyonka. This betrayal is what’s eating him. Because he knows Nyeri people despise him for it and he wants to vie for governor in 2027,” he added. 

But Ngotho’s betrayal was the worst. “He was a PA to Rigathi when he was MP Mathira. He then became PA to him when he was DP, with all perks including vehicles and security. By dint of his position he handled a lot of Gachagua’s private issues and affairs; and benefited from them tremendously financially,” Wambugu went on.

“Then he betrayed Gachagua by providing details of all his private affairs to his political enemies. He is now employed as communications officer in the office of the President, a position he got as a reward because of being the primary source of all the personal information that was used against Rigathi; information he got in trust. A trust he betrayed in the most evil way,” he added. 
“They know they did evil. They are being socially ostracised for it. So now they are trying to justify their despicable actions by accusing him of silly things like tribalism. When they were benefiting from Rigathi why didn’t they refuse?”

Addressing Nyeri residents last month, Gachagua had himself alluded to the alleged betrayal, urging Mt Kenya residents to 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,” the former DP said. 

He called for the formation of a Mt Kenya-based political party to safeguard the region’s interests, adding that consultations with clergy and other leaders were underway to determine the way forward. 

“We must reorganise ourselves politically. Never again should we find ourselves dependent on others for our political direction,” Gachagua stated. 

The impeachment has sharply divided Nyeri’s political leadership and residents.

The fallout has sparked public outrage, with some residents blaming their representatives for Gachagua’s removal. Many MPs are reportedly avoiding public engagements for fear of being heckled. 

As the dust settles, Nyeri leaders remain at odds, with the region grappling to chart a united political future ahead of the 2027 elections.