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| President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Defence CS Aden Duale and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as they saw off the head of state for a four-day state visit in the United States on May 19, 2024. |
President William Ruto embarked on a four-day state visit to the United States on Sunday, accompanied by the usual pomp and circumstance. Yet, the send-off was shrouded in intrigue, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Defence CS Aden Duale, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi all in attendance.
The Elephant in the Room
Whispers of a rift between Ruto and Gachagua have been growing louder, fueled by the DP's conspicuous absence from at least 11 official functions. Reports even suggested that Gachagua was unreachable by phone during this period, adding fuel to the fire.
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed swiftly quashed these rumors, stating, “To the best of my knowledge, there is no issue between the President and his Deputy. The Deputy President’s office is fully capable and competent. If you need information, it’s readily available there.”
A Public Return
Gachagua made a rare public appearance on Sunday, attending a church service in Nyeri. His absence from key state functions had raised eyebrows and stirred speculation among Kenyans, given his usual high-profile presence.
National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro offered a simple explanation, stating that the DP was taking a much-needed break. “The Deputy President can also relax. He has been worked up for some time and has now taken a break for a week or so. Let him relax,” said Osoro.
A Call for Unity
During his address at Sacred Heart Endarasha Catholic Church in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, Gachagua didn't directly address the rumored fallout with Ruto. Instead, he called for unity among the people of the Mount Kenya region, urging them to avoid divisive politics.
“As the DP, I decided to speak less and work more for the last 10 months. As the spokesperson of the Kikuyu community, I’m ready to work for my people,” Gachagua declared, emphasizing the importance of a unified voice for the region's prosperity.
Setting the Record Straight
Despite the swirling rumors, a section of UDA leaders has consistently denied any rift between Ruto and Gachagua. Their reassurances, coupled with Gachagua's recent public engagements, aim to dispel the notion of discord at the top echelons of power.
As President Ruto departed for his US visit, the spectacle served as a reminder of the complex interplay of power and politics. Whether the rumored rift is real or merely a fabrication of idle chatter, the coming days will undoubtedly shed more light on the true state of affairs between Kenya’s top two leaders.