Lawyer Wahome Thuku now says President William Ruto’s decision to back the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may have backfired, warning it has instead turned him into a political threat ahead of 2027.
In a pointed assessment, Thuku argued Ruto moved too early to remove Gachagua, denying himself the chance to politically weaken him within the Mt Kenya region.
“William Samoei Ruto made a miscalculation,” Thuku said. “He should have allowed Gachagua to wield full power and resources to completely flatten the mountain before dropping him.”
According to Thuku, Gachagua’s tenure between 2022 and early 2024 had already begun to alienate ordinary residents.
“By March 2024, he had become a source of misery among common people in Mt Kenya,” he said.
He cited several incidents, including the alleged arrest of elderly women in Murang’a over prayer gatherings and the controversial arrest of activist Pauline Njoroge.
“How he ordered Pauline Njoroge’s arrest and linked her to fake bangi trafficking. How he went after the Kenyattas over claims of funding protests,” Thuku stated.
The lawyer also pointed to Gachagua’s hardline style in dealing with leaders and businesses.
“He summoned MPs from coffee regions. Ndindi Nyoro escaped only because he was with the President,” he said. “In Mathira, bars were shut down and only those who complied were spared.”
Thuku further referenced Gachagua’s support for police crackdowns and his remarks targeting sections of Mt Kenya youth.
“He praised police action against demonstrators and labeled young people as Mûngiki,” he added.
But instead of letting these actions erode his support, Thuku says Ruto’s push for impeachment gave Gachagua room to rebrand.
“Ruto acted too early and gave him time to become the opposite,” he said. “Today, many see him as a liberator.”
Gachagua has since repositioned himself politically and is emerging as a key voice challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration.