Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently shed light on his tenure in government, revealing that he defended state projects for only one year before refusing to continue. Speaking during a candid interview on KTN, Gachagua explained that his initial efforts to promote government projects had grown increasingly difficult due to their growing unpopularity among Kenyans.
Gachagua said that in his first year as Deputy President, he actively defended government initiatives like affordable housing and the controversial university funding model. However, over time, he came to believe that some of these projects were flawed and failing to resonate with the public. His stance on the affordable housing project, in particular, became evident when he openly declared it a “fraud,” which led to his decision to cease defending it.
The former Deputy President revealed that even after President William Ruto urged him to continue defending these initiatives, he chose not to. He recalled refusing to go on television to support the affordable housing project or the university funding model, which he acknowledged had become unpopular with both students and parents.
This position stood in stark contrast to the expectations placed on him by President Ruto. In a media engagement in Nyeri, President Ruto reminded the public of his role in defending government projects while serving under former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He emphasized that it was the Deputy President’s responsibility to publicly support government initiatives, pointing out that Gachagua had failed to do so.
The fallout from Gachagua’s refusal to back government programs ultimately contributed to his impeachment. In October 2024, the Senate upheld his impeachment, marking him as the first Deputy President in Kenya’s history to be ousted from office. Senators cited several charges, including his failure to defend state projects as a significant factor in their decision.
Gachagua’s exit from office raises important questions about the dynamics of political loyalty and the challenges of defending controversial policies in the face of public opposition.
