Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has suggested that President William Ruto is facing significant pressure from his allies to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, asserting that this move is politically motivated to serve personal interests. In an interview on DayBreak, Maanzo claimed that allies of the president, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, have expressed interest in replacing Gachagua and would benefit from his ouster.
He alleged that Ruto’s inner circle is determined to reserve the Deputy President’s seat for the Mt Kenya region, positioning themselves strategically ahead of the 2027 General Election. “President Ruto and DP Gachagua are on the same ballot paper; they should either serve the entire term or both of them go so that Kenya can have a new beginning. I think the President needs to look at the matter carefully. He should not follow the Ichung’wahs of this world who pressure him,” Maanzo stated.
Maanzo further remarked, “You know the president is under a lot of pressure from certain fellows. Ichung’wah himself is interested in being the deputy president because they are saying if they remove Gachagua, they must bring in another Kikuyu, and that’s why we are all guilty of tribalism.” He urged the president to rise above the political narratives propagated by MPs and focus on unifying the country. “The president has a duty to hold this country together, to be a symbol of national unity and be above this petty politics of MPs who are not working for the people who elected them,” he emphasized.
During the interview, Maanzo also alleged that the MPs were targeting Gachagua due to his failure to provide them with handouts. “There is nobody in Kenya not guilty of tribalism. What is happening is mob justice against Gachagua. If the issue is his wealth, he should be allowed to declare and explain his wealth,” the senator said. “The MPs expected Gachagua to call them every Friday to give them something from the confidential budget. This is what the accusations are about.”
Maanzo’s remarks resonate with sentiments from opposition politicians, who have previously warned Ruto that he could become the next target if Gachagua’s impeachment proceeds.
The motion, tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, outlines 11 grounds to impeach Gachagua, citing that he has grossly violated the Constitution, engaged in corruption and undermined the presidency.
It is currently undergoing public participation before proceeding to the National Assembly for debate on October 8, 2024.
