Gachagua Lets Secret Details Slip on Ruto’s Power-Sharing Deals

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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stirred political waters with a bombshell revelation over the inner dealings of power-sharing deals within President William Ruto’s administration. In an address delivered in a no-holds-barred fashion during a public function in his home county of Nyeri, Gachagua narrated for the first time, hitherto undisclosed tenets of the agreements that birthed the current government. His words have triggered debates across the political divide and put into scrutiny how far power sharing had become transparent in this coalition government.

Insights into Power-Sharing

Gachagua charged that the influential politicians were promised big positions in Ruto’s government in exchange for their support in the 2022 presidential campaign. He clarified that all in-house, direct pacts with all members of the ruling coalition and leaders of other small parties involved critical roles to deliver certain votes from their respective regions.

For Gachagua, such arrangements had to be made to enable President Ruto to expand his coalition to a size and strength that would guarantee the winning margin in an election that was closely contested. “Politics is about give and take,” Gachagua explained. “Sometimes, you have to make certain deals just to keep your team together. People were promised positions according to their contributions to the campaign.

The Deputy President claimed some leaders were promised key cabinet positions, others were promised big jobs in parastatals and government agencies. Gachagua insinuated that a few individuals who had formerly been vocal in their criticism against the administration might have harbored resentment owing to the feeling of having been bypassed in the handout of these positions, which is perpetuating emerging political differences.

Ruto’s Incorporation Strategy

Gachagua added that President Ruto’s strategy was to be able to take one representative from various communities and political blocs throughout the country, making sure every community is on board. He noted it was an attempt to balance out trying to reward his most loyal allies against accommodation of regional interests brought on board by regional leaders during campaigns.

“Some of these deals were critical in bringing the country together after the divisive elections. The President was committed to making sure that nobody felt left out,” Gachagua said.

However, the Deputy President also admitted that fulfilling the pledges has not been easy, considering the limited number of high-ranking government posts and the high pressure to satisfy those who supported Ruto’s candidature.

The Coalition’s Internal Strains

Deputy President’s statement comes at a time when there is an apparent increase in distance within the Kenya Kwanza Alliance – the coalition that brought the president in power, Ruto. Leaders within the coalition have expressed discontent with how the government positions have been shared accusing the president of going back on his word about them.

Some of the regional leaders have been heard complaining, that the expected representation for their communities was not attained, and some have even gone as far as accusing the Deputy President himself over the sidelining of other leaders in making appointments. Division within the ranks has, at times, been made public, with a number of these leaders taking to the press to voice their concerns.

During the speech, Gachagua confronted these tensions and urged disgruntled coalition members to be patient and appreciate the challenge of balancing out the competing interests. “We understand that the people had expectations, and we are trying our level best to meet them. But we must also appreciate that not everybody will be accommodated straightaway,” said Gachagua. I call on our coalition members to keep their eyes on the ball and focus on the service delivery of the administration’s agenda to the Kenyan people, not deviate to side shows created by some individuals,” he urged.

Political Reactions to Gachagua’s Remarks

The candid revelations by Gachagua have elicited sharp political debate; he attracted reactions that range from shock to praise. Opposition leaders seized on the Deputy President’s comments and used them to ridicule the ruling coalition over what they described as “backroom deals” carried out without transparency and accountability.

The Deputy President has just confirmed what we have been saying all along-that this administration is not about meritocracy or service delivery, but rewarding cronies and political allies, said a senior opposition figure. Kenya deserves better than a government that runs on secret deals made behind closed doors.

Friends of the Deputy President trooped to his defense, terming the uttarances of power-sharing as normal and inevitable in coalition politics. They praised Gachagua for being candid and said his utterance would allow the air to clear and speculation about what was taking place in government to end.

That is how politics work, and I applaud the Deputy President for being candid to admit the difficulties the government has been facing to try to live up to the expectations of those who supported us, a pro-government MP said. What is important now is that we remain united as a coalition and focus on delivering the promises we made to the people.

Effects on Public Attitude

The information revealed by the Deputy President could have a more significant effect on the way the public views the government. Such power-sharing deals are prevalent within politics where coalitions are formed. However, the ventilation of such details can at times erode the public’s faith in a government, more so if it gives one the impression that such decisions are not made on bases of merit but rather political patronage.

Political intelligentsia also stated that Gachagua’s comments may cause additional dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition, especially among those factions that feel underrepresented in appointments. In contrast, it is believed that the Deputy President’s frankness will ease the frictions by explaining in detail why there have been difficulties in making appointments to the various offices.

The prospects of the ruling coalition

As the Deputy President makes fresh revelations regarding the political situation in the country, it is clear there are certain positions that the Ruto administration has to take to keep the ruling coalition in harmony. Whereas Gachagua has asked for patience and understanding, the fact remains that internal differences within the alliance are a major hurdle.

The question remains as to how or whether these internal rifts will be resolved, or whether the coalition will be able to withstand the pressure and stand together. This will be largely determined by the approach that the government takes towards the current power-sharing dynamics. For now, the Deputy President’s remarks have ushered in a new dawn on the ongoing political discourse, and is causing both supporters and detractors of the regime to wait for the actions of the regime thereafter.

Meanwhile, Gachagua’s insights have brought yet another dimension to the already complex politics in Kenya, as the country holds its breath to see what the government will do with the inevitable power-sharing politics in the short and long term.