Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has recently positioned himself as a potential successor to President William Ruto, claiming he is the leader Kenya needs to move forward.
Yet, a closer examination of his tenure as Kenya’s second-in-command from September 2022 to October 2024 reveals a stark absence of tangible achievements, raising serious questions about his suitability to lead the nation.
For a politician who brands himself as the “truthful man,” Gachagua’s record offers little evidence of transformative leadership or impactful reforms, leaving Kenyans to wonder if his presidential ambitions are driven more by personal grievances than a proven vision for progress.
Gachagua’s two-year stint as Deputy President was marked by controversy rather than accomplishment. Tasked with a significant role in the Kenya Kwanza administration, he failed to spearhead any notable policy initiatives or legislative reforms that could anchor his claim to national leadership.
Unlike his predecessor, who leveraged the deputy presidency to champion projects like the digital literacy program, Gachagua’s tenure lacked a signature achievement that Kenyans could point to as a hallmark of his service.
His public engagements often centered on divisive rhetoric, with allegations of inflaming ethnic tensions through speeches that prioritized his Kikuyu base over national unity. These actions, cited in his October 2024 impeachment, underscored a leadership style more focused on regional mobilization than inclusive governance.
As a Member of Parliament for Mathira from 2017 to 2022, Gachagua’s legislative footprint is equally underwhelming. His parliamentary tenure was characterized by an aggressive political style, often prioritizing tribal interests over broader national concerns.
This approach, while effective in rallying support in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, failed to translate into concrete legislative or developmental contributions that could bolster his credentials as a national leader.
Gachagua’s defenders argue that his role in mobilizing the Mount Kenya region was pivotal to Ruto’s 2022 electoral victory, showcasing his political acumen. However, political mobilization alone does not equate to governance capability. Leadership demands a track record of delivering results—whether through policy innovation, economic reforms, or social programs—that improve the lives of citizens. Gachagua’s tenure offers no such record.
His public spats, including criticisms of the National Intelligence Service and accusations of undermining the President, further eroded his credibility, painting a picture of a leader more preoccupied with personal battles than national progress.
Moreover, Gachagua’s ambition appears rooted in his fallout with President Ruto, a rift that culminated in his historic impeachment—the first of a deputy president under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. His claim to the presidency feels less like a vision-driven campaign and more like a reaction to perceived mistreatment. Kenyans deserve a leader whose aspirations are backed by a legacy of service, not one whose primary motivation seems to be settling political scores.
The absence of impactful reforms, bills, or programs under Gachagua’s name leaves a glaring gap in his resume, one that rhetoric alone cannot fill.
For a nation grappling with economic challenges, security concerns, and the need for cohesive leadership, entrusting Kenya’s future to someone with no proven record of transformative governance is a risk too great to take.
Gachagua’s tenure as Deputy President and MP reveals a politician adept at political maneuvering but lacking the substance to lead. As Kenya looks to its next chapter, it demands leaders with a demonstrated commitment to progress, not those whose ambitions outstrip their achievements.
