By In the ruthless game of Kenyan politics, loyalty is as fragile as a handshake, and betrayal often comes dressed in silence. The once-solid alliance between President William Ruto and his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, has crumbled into dust—a spectacular fallout that has not only shaken the political landscape but has also redefined tribal allegiances, youth movements, and power centers across the nation.
The impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua marked more than just the fall of a man—it signaled the emergence of new power players, shifting alliances, and a ruthless recalibration of Kenya’s political chessboard.
From Brothers to Rivals: The Collapse of Ruto and Gachagua
What began as a strategic political brotherhood between Ruto and Gachagua during the 2022 campaigns quickly disintegrated into bitter opposition. Gachagua, now an outsider, wasted no time in charting his own path. With the formation of his own political party, he has openly declared war on Ruto’s administration and has thrown his weight behind Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential bid.
In a bold move that shook tribal boundaries, Gachagua called the Kamba community “our cousins”—a deliberate attempt to foster a new GEMA-Kamba political identity. For decades, the Kikuyu and Kamba tribes have drifted politically, but this ‘cousin’ narrative is quickly gaining traction. Whether it births a genuine alliance or remains a clever political trick remains to be seen, but Gachagua’s gamble is already unsettling the old tribal order.
Raila’s Silent Realignment and Nyanza’s New Development Wave
While Gachagua rebuilds from the outside, Raila Odinga has subtly warmed to the very administration that once opposed him. Raila’s quiet cooperation with Ruto has opened development floodgates in Nyanza, especially Kisumu, which is now seeing more progress than many regions that fervently supported Ruto in 2022.
It is a silent but visible deal—development in exchange for future political support. For Ruto, gaining Raila’s backing could be the key to unlocking votes in a region that rejected him. For Raila, it is about retaining relevance and playing kingmaker once again. But it leaves a bitter taste for the president’s loyal supporters who now watch as opposition strongholds reap the
fruits they expected for themselves.
The Relentless Youth: A Generation Under Attack
While political titans reshuffle their alliances, Kenya’s youth remain on the frontline, paying the ultimate price for daring to speak out. The brutal killing of Albert Ojwang—targeted for his critical posts against Ruto’s administration—is a chilling reminder that in Kenya, free speech can get you killed.
Albert’s death is not an isolated case. Across the country, young demonstrators who have boldly challenged corruption, police brutality, and government excesses have faced torture, beatings, and death. The streets are bleeding, yet the youth refuse to be silenced. They have organized relentless demonstrations throughout Ruto’s term, demanding accountability, dignity, and a government that listens rather than crushes.
The office of Eliud Lagat, once seen as untouchable, now trembles under the weight of these killings, with growing scrutiny and public anger threatening its very foundation.
Kithure Kindiki: The Deputy President and the Battle for Central Kenya
With Gachagua’s fall, Ruto elevated Kithure Kindiki to the position of Deputy President—a calculated move to secure his grip on Central Kenya. Kindiki, once admired for his firm stance on security, now finds himself balancing a delicate mission: to steady Ruto’s political ship in a region fast turning hostile.
But the mountain is restless. Gachagua’s influence remains alive, especially among Kikuyu youth who now see him as the true voice of the region. Kindiki may carry the title, but Gachagua carries the street’s respect—a dangerous split that could destabilize Ruto’s support base in the heartland.
Kindiki’s loyalty to Ruto is unquestioned, but whether he can deliver the region in the next election remains a gamble. The ground is shifting, and the Kikuyu youth are no longer blind followers. They are asking uncomfortable questions and demanding more than political symbolism.
Populist Promises: The Five-Year Cycle of Betrayal
Every election cycle, Kenyan politicians parade flashy populist manifestos, promising a revolution that never comes. Kenyans, hungry for hope, have often bought into these promises, only to be betrayed once the votes are cast.
The machinery of vote-buying, tribal baiting, and systemic rigging has created a culture where the masses are easy prey. Politicians understand that it’s cheaper to sell dreams than to deliver change, and so the cycle continues—broken only by the few who dare to resist.
Kenya’s Crossroads: A New Chapter or the Same Old Story?
The Ruto-Gachagua split is more than a political soap opera—it is a mirror of Kenya’s deeper wounds. It exposes how quickly loyalty fades, how easily power corrupts, and how violently the system can react when challenged by the people.
As Gachagua builds his rebellion, as Raila quietly reshapes the electoral map, and as Kenya’s youth continue to rise despite the threat of death, the future of the nation hangs in delicate balance.
The question is no longer whether political shifts will happen—they already have. The real question is whether the people, especially the youth, will remain spectators or finally seize the pen to write their own destiny.
The streets will remember. The hashtags will outlive the manifestos. And history will ask: who stood, who knelt, and who fell.
