Following an explosive interview by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the state of affairs in the Kenya Kwanza administration and his tribulations, a section of the leaders want the position abolished.
Some of the leaders calling for doing away with the Deputy President position are Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina and Kileleshwa Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai.
In a statement on Saturday, September 21, Senator Ledama argued that holders of DP positions have so far been persecuted, creating tension in the government.
To end the wrangles, Ledama proposed the scrapping of the position. Additionally, he called for the scrapping of the Deputy Governor’s post.
“Never aspire to deputise anyone in any capacity… You will be treated like a second-class citizen; even PAs (Principal Assistants) will see you as their subordinates. Why don’t we just abolish deputy governors and deputy president positions?” Ledama stated.
Alai’s take
His sentiments were echoed by MCA Alai, who proposed far-reaching reforms in all sectors.
Alai argued that deputies in various sectors have a perceived entitlement to power, which has since created wrangles in different leadership structures.
The MCA thus called for the abolishment of all deputy positions in the country.
“Deputy anything is just to make you feel like you are the boss while you aren’t. Some useless positions for deputies.
“Deputy President, Deputy Governor, Deputy Party Leader, Deputy Chairman, Deputy OCS, Deputy OCPD, Deputy Treasurer, Deputy County Commissioner, etc,” Alai argued.
“Just abolish all these deputies. They are just to assuage egos, and the true uselessness of the position is never revealed,” he added.
For some of the deputy positions to be abolished, the country must institute constitutional reforms, which could then lead to a referendum.
Jinxed
During his interview on a local TV station, Gachagua lamented how he was being persecuted by various people close to President William Ruto.
He also revealed that money has changed hands in an effort to push for his impeachment for speaking the truth to power.
While admitting that the DP position could be jinxed, Gachagua pleaded with his boss to call the UDA house to order and let him finish his term.
“It’s up to our boss (President Ruto) to decide what should be done because he is our party leader.
“He can call a PG (Parliamentary Group meeting) and bring down the political temperatures; tell the Members of Parliament to stop attacking each other; ask those who accompany him who abuse the Deputy President to stop… because if he told them to stop, they would stop.
“Ask them to stop these night meetings. It’s really him to provide leadership so that the country can go back to work,” he said.
