Kenya’s Top Duo at War: Ruto and Gachagua’s Explosive Feud Over Mega-Money Tenders and Power Play!

BY REUBEN MUSONIK, POLITICAL EDITOR, THE DISPATCH DIGITAL

It looks like Kenya’s top political bromance has gone up in flames! President William Ruto and his right-hand man, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, are reportedly at each other’s throats, but it’s not just a simple case of political differences. No, folks, this fight runs much deeper—straight to the heart of billions in juicy government tenders and a ruthless power grab!

Gachagua, who played a pivotal role in Ruto’s rise to power, was once the go-to guy for securing big cash for the 2022 election campaign through some eyebrow-raising government contracts. These weren’t just any contracts—these were shady deals, slipped to elite companies with high-profile connections, the kind that got Gachagua into serious legal hot water under ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta. But as soon as Ruto took over, he pulled the strings to freeze those pesky legal cases. A classic “I’ve got your back” move, right?

Well, not anymore! Fast forward to today, and the bromance is dead in the water. Sources claim Ruto is now hogging the biggest and best tenders for his inner circle, leaving Gachagua and his cronies out in the cold. The Deputy President, who was once seen as Ruto’s key man in Mt. Kenya, now finds himself on the outside looking in. And make no mistake—he’s not happy about it!

Gachagua’s rise to power in the Mt. Kenya region, where he’s been flexing his muscles as the local “kingpin”, has Ruto feeling uneasy. Word on the street is that Mt. Kenya’s loyalty is slipping away from the president, especially after his controversial partnership with opposition heavyweight Raila Odinga. With Gachagua tightening his grip on the region, some say Ruto’s dominance is starting to crumble.

But it doesn’t end there—oh no! Gachagua feels he’s being sidelined and underappreciated, despite his significant contributions to the government. He expected a bigger slice of the pie, but instead, Ruto’s been busy cutting him out. And now? Gachagua’s ready to bite back. His influence in Mt. Kenya is growing by the day, and he’s not shy about flexing his political muscles, even if it means clashing with the man who once saved his skin.

And if you think the power struggle is just a personal spat, think again. The government’s handling of mega infrastructure deals, like the controversial Sh169 billion contract involving the Adani Group and Africa50 for Kenya’s power lines, has thrown more fuel on the fire. Critics are up in arms about foreign companies swooping in on crucial national projects, questioning Kenya’s control over its own assets. While this isn’t directly tied to the Ruto-Gachagua face-off, it paints a bigger picture of backroom deals, political intrigue, and murky waters at the top.

The million-dollar question now is: will Gachagua’s growing frustration spark an all-out revolt? Or will Ruto’s iron grip on government contracts and political power be enough to keep his deputy in check? One thing’s for sure—if this power struggle continues, the ruling party could be headed for a major implosion. Insiders are already buzzing that Gachagua could use his Mt. Kenya influence to mount a challenge that leaves Ruto quaking in his boots!

Stay tuned, because this high-stakes political drama is only just heating up!