Why Deputy President Gachagua Was Impeached: CS Aden Duale’s Insights on Political Friendships
Introduction
In a recent interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive, Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale discussed why Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faced impeachment.
According to Duale, Gachagua’s challenges stemmed from his tendency to make enemies rather than friends in the political arena, a strategy that ultimately worked against him.
The Importance of Political Friendships
Duale, a seasoned politician, explained that in politics, friendships are crucial.
Drawing from his years of experience, he highlighted the importance of allies in avoiding impeachment and building a strong political foundation.
- Example of President Ruto
- Duale shared a story about a 2009 impeachment attempt against President William Ruto when he served as Minister of Agriculture.
- At that time, Ruto turned a motion against him into a vote of confidence by securing support from 115 MPs.
- This support was due to Ruto’s investment in political friendships, which Duale believes helped him stay in power.
Gachagua’s Downfall
In contrast, Duale attributed Gachagua’s impeachment to his lack of political allies and his conflicts with key figures, such as:
- Dennis Itumbi, a prominent digital strategist
- Farouk Kibet, the President’s personal assistant
According to Duale, Gachagua’s conflicts with these and other political players weakened his support, making him the first sitting Deputy President in Kenya’s history to face impeachment.
Why Building Alliances Matters
Duale emphasized that Gachagua’s approach—focusing on creating enemies rather than allies—alienated him from the people he needed most.
He illustrated this with the overwhelming support for the impeachment motion, stating that:
- 282 MPs Voted for Impeachment
- Duale highlighted this number as unprecedented, noting that cultivating friendships is essential for political survival.
ALSO READ: UDA party to replace Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy Party Leader.
Duale’s Advice to Politicians
As a final piece of advice, Duale stressed the importance of maintaining a strong rapport with fellow politicians, similar to the approach President Ruto has taken.
For Duale, showing up and addressing issues in the House is essential to avoid political isolation and maintain a secure position in government.
ALSO READ: Ruto Should Resign Immediately Over Constitutional Violations – Says Kalonzo
In Duale’s view, Gachagua’s impeachment serves as a reminder of the importance of allies in politics.
Building friendships can often determine the difference between staying in power or facing impeachment, as demonstrated by Ruto’s and Gachagua’s contrasting political journeys.
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