Rigathi Gachagua’s fall from power was not a sudden political accident — it was the result of months of reckless conduct, poor judgment, and divisive leadership that alienated allies and angered the nation.
From the moment he assumed the office of Deputy President, Gachagua adopted a confrontational and combative approach to politics. Instead of working to unite government and opposition leaders around a shared national vision, he turned public platforms into spaces for personal vendettas and regional attacks. His constant rhetoric of bitterness, blame, and tribal entitlement made collaboration nearly impossible.
Members of Parliament grew increasingly uncomfortable with what they described as a pattern of abuse of office — using state resources and loyal networks to intimidate rivals and settle political scores. Investigations pointed to frequent instances where his office was linked to disruptive mobilizations and confrontational street politics that undermined peace and stability.
What alarmed many legislators most was the timing of these actions: several controversial incidents reportedly occurred when the President was abroad representing Kenya. Fo instance attack on Uhur Kenyatta’s farm, attempt on Maina Njenga’s life and attack on Raila’s spectre company. To many MPs, this was not coincidence but evidence of a Deputy President acting in defiance of collective leadership, seeking to control the political narrative in the President’s absence.
Parliamentarians also cited Gachagua’s repeated public outbursts against state institutions, his divisive tribal rhetoric, and his disregard for collective responsibility as evidence that he was unfit for high office. In the end, his impeachment was seen not as a political witch-hunt, but as an act of institutional self-defence — a move to protect the stability and dignity of the Presidency.
Gachagua’s story is a warning to future leaders: arrogance, isolation, and intolerance can destroy even the most powerful political careers. Kenya’s democracy demands leaders who build bridges, not those who burn them for personal gain.
