Why Gachagua's Chair Remained Empty at Ruto's Nyeri Church Service

The apparent rift between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua widened on Sunday with Gachagua skipping a presidential church event in his home region of Nyeri.

President Ruto's visit to Nyeri for the official launch of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Central-Western Archdiocese was notably marked by Gachagua's absence. Instead, the Deputy President was reported to be attending a church service at Our Lady of Sorrows Baricho Catholic Parish in neighbouring Kirinyaga County. This absence sent ripples of concern through political circles, with President Ruto visibly unsettled as he sat next to an empty seat reserved for his deputy during the Nyeri event.

While Gachagua's communication team attributed his absence to a "time conflict," such communication breakdowns raise questions about the internal dynamics of the administration. The disconnect was further accentuated by President Ruto's attendance at an earlier church service in Nairobi accompanied by Gachagua's political rivals from the Mt Kenya region. President Ruto used the occasion to address his deputy, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling commitments made to Kenyans during the 2022 election rather than focusing on early campaigning for the 2027 elections. His remarks suggested the growing impatience with what he perceives as Gachagua's preoccupation with political maneuvering, implying that such distractions could undermine their shared administrative objectives.

The situation is further complicated by a developing split within the Mt Kenya region itself, where allegiances are increasingly divided among Gachagua, Ruto, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. The recent expression of support for Kindiki by 48 MPs from the region has been interpreted as a direct challenge to Gachagua's position. This has led to allegations of a plot to impeach the Deputy President with Gachagua's allies such as Kiambu Senator Karungo Wathang'wa vehemently opposing such notions. At a gathering in Kirinyaga coinciding with Gachagua's absence from the Nyeri event, Wathang'wa and other supporters voiced strong backing for the Deputy President, asserting his legitimacy as the region's spokesman.

They cautioned against attempts to undermine his authority and called for unity within the region's political ranks. Gachagua himself responded to these internal challenges by reminding his detractors of their previous alliances and campaigning efforts. During his address in Kirinyaga, he emphasized the importance of focusing on current governance rather than future elections. The ongoing division has prompted calls for unity and a refocus on public service. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has urged for a cessation of political rhetoric in favour of serving the electorate, while Ndia MP George Kariuki has expressed concern over the persistent conflation of political discourse with religious gatherings.