Months after being impeached from office, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has begun proving that President William Ruto indeed made a wrong move by orchestrating his removal. What was initially meant to be a punishment or perhaps a seal to his political fate has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the son of Mathira.

In the days leading up to his impeachment, Gachagua dominated headlines, as pro-government MPs paraded around, spelling doom for his political future. At the time, he appeared to have only two options: either resign or face impeachment, a move that, if upheld by the Senate, would send him into political oblivion, permanently barring him from contesting any elective seat.

Kenya Kwanza MPs and other leaders who disliked him were already mocking his downfall, sarcastically saying they were sending him to Wamunyororo, his village, never to be seen again. They claimed that it was the only place fit for him to practice his agenda of defending Mt Kenya. Gachagua was, without doubt, a man under siege.

There is nothing more painful to a politician than watching their career slip away. Still, even in the face of immense pressure from both the National Assembly and the Senate, Gachagua refused to resign.

Interestingly, as he battled political isolation, he began to attract sympathy from a significant portion of Kenyans, especially from his Mount Kenya backyard, who believed he was being unfairly targeted.

The impeachment sailed through the National Assembly, leaving him clinging to the hope that the Senate would overturn the decision. However, the Senate merely rubber-stamped the Assembly’s resolution.

Shortly after the Senate session, and following a brief hospital admission due to illness during the proceedings, Gachagua emerged visibly furious and unfiltered. At that point, he had nothing to lose.

What he feared most had already happened. He launched scathing attacks against the government, and many Kenyans were ready to listen. It was as if a tilapia had come out of the water to declare that the Nile perch was sick—and the public believed him. After all, this was a man who had been at the heart of power, now speaking candidly.

Gachagua’s political revival mirrored that of his former boss, who also endured political persecution as a deputy president, though not impeachment. He capitalised on the sympathy wave. It grew stronger when the mover of the impeachment motion struggled to defend it, later admitting that he had crafted it alone, further fuelling the public’s support for Gachagua.

Sympathy

He started drawing massive crowds, especially in Mt Kenya. Many who thought the impeachment would end his political relevance were shocked. Gachagua had clearly learnt from the best. He could no longer be ignored. Though wounded and humiliated, he refused to stay down. He became a relentless critic of the very government that engineered his downfall.

Each time he spoke, Kenyans eagerly waited to hear what he had to say. Thanks to his sharp oratory and strong mobilisation skills, his speeches often went viral—turning into memes and sound bites that trended for days. Ironically, Wamunyororo, where he was “sent”, became his political command centre. Delegations from Mount Kenya—especially political aspirants—frequently visited him to seek blessings and support.

Gachagua’s contribution to Ruto’s win

Sometimes I tend to believe that were it not for Gachagua, Ruto would not have been voted into office as overwhelmingly as he was in the Mt Kenya region. Gachagua helped him secure almost all the votes, leaving very little support for his main opponent, Raila Odinga, who garnered about 1 million votes in the region.

Had Gachagua not been selected as his running mate, Raila could have received more votes—not enough to beat Ruto, but significant enough to make an impact.

If that’s not the case, then why did the entire Mt Kenya region shift its attitude after Gachagua’s ouster from government? Why has the mountain become bitter towards Ruto and his allies, especially those who were at the forefront of championing his removal—leaders like Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah? Why are they now being heckled at meetings across the region?

Why were President Ruto’s speeches rejected during funerals shortly after the impeachment saga?

Gachagua’s resurgence after impeachment has unsettled the state. Reports have even emerged of goons being sent to disrupt his meetings. But this has only strengthened his profile. Today, he has become the new face of the opposition. A man who was expected to retire quietly has instead risen to become the new kingpin of the mountain.

conclusion

What was meant to end Rigathi Gachagua’s political career has instead resurrected it. In trying to sideline him, the government created a political martyr—and a formidable rival. His oratory skills, ability to mobilise the grassroots, and deep connection to Mount Kenya voters have made him impossible to ignore.

President Ruto may have won the impeachment battle, but the war for Mount Kenya’s political soul is far from over. If anything, Gachagua has shown that sometimes, exile can be the perfect place to regroup, rebrand, and relaunch.

Final Thought

History may yet remember Rigathi Gachagua not as the deputy president who was impeached but as the man who turned his fall into the foundation of a political empire.