Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders who had taken a hard stance were left at crossroads following President William Ruto's decision to engage Azimio la Umoja through a bi-partisan approach on Sunday, April 2.
Political analysts opined that Gachagua, Ichung'wah and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei were starring ar a political dilemma following their sustained attacks on Raila Odinga and Azimio la Umoja leaders, including President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta.
The trio were said to have ridden on attacking Uhuru to be politically relevant, especially on and after the August 9 General Elections. The sustained attacks were reportedly perceived to assure President William Ruto of their loyalty.
Addressing the puzzle Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Wilson Sossion refuted the rhetorics, arguing that Gachagua formed part of the discussion that informed the decision to adopt a bi-partisan approach.
Sossion also dispelled political analysts' opinions led by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwire that Gachagua seemed unsettled by Ruto's pronouncement following his facial expressions at State House.
"The President's statement is consistent with Kenya Kwanza. As of the time of that pronouncement, that was the position of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and it also became the position of Kimani Ichung'wah," Sossion insisted.
Conversely, Kikuyu MP, Kimani Ichungw'ah, maintained that Kenya Kwanza remained intact despite claims that hardliners should be sidelined in the bi-partisan talks.
Moreover, Ichung'wah argued that Raila and Ruto did not personally meet to strike a bipartisan deal.
"I can confirm that Ruto has not met with Raila Odinga. He has not even spoken with Raila, leave alone the handshake. It has absolutely nothing to do with a handshake. I can see that some quarters are very happy with a handshake," he clarified.
On Monday, April 2, political scientist, Mutahi Ngunyi, argued that Uhuru brokered the deal between Ruto and Raila, but warned that hardliners would affect any progress made, should they be allowed to be part of the negotiating team.
"Bravo President William Ruto. What you did today by climbing down was statesmanship. Babaman (Raila) responded by climbing down too. Whatever you do hereafter, keep Gachagua out of it. And I believe Uhuru Kenyatta brokered this deal," Ngunyi stated, in reference to the row between Gachagua and Uhuru.
The business community led by Central Rift Matatu Owners chair, Stephen Muli, also demanded hardliners be left out, indicating that their stances affected traders in the country.
"There has not been serious protests in Nakuru but we have felt the impact. Nairobi is the gateway to other parts of the country, and when unstable, everyone else feels the pinch,” stated.
Before the truce, Gachagua had been on a charm offensive to woo Mt Kenya to his base, and a way for Uhuru, who has been silent all along, to avoid being drawn into a war of words. In the past, reports alleged that Gachagua differed with Ndindi Nyoro, Kiharu MP, and one of the local leaders seeking to succeed Uhuru as Mt Kenya's kingpin.
The DP refuted the reports but was forced to address a fallout with Ichung'wah, one of the leaders who advocated against his selection as Ruto's running mate. Ichung'wah, who wanted Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki, selected as DP, appeared to have been whipped into supporting Gachagua.
In March 2023, however, further reports claimed that the DP fell out with Kindiki, on managing the nationwide demonstrations. However, he clarified that the CS was out on official duty and thus missed a key security meeting.
"I had a meeting on Sunday with our security chiefs, and Kindiki was missing as he had gone to deal with bandits. They started saying that they were problems between us," Gachagua explained.
After the truce between Ruto and Raila, reports emerged that a section of Mt Kenya legislators hatched plans to meet former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite no clear agenda, the meeting was touted to shift the current political alignment with Gachagua angling himself as the new Mt Kenya kingpin. However, Uhuru's return would affect Mt Kenya's politics.
