NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is making waves again, this time with explosive claims about an alleged political trade-off between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Kameme FM on Monday, March 17, Gachagua claimed that Odinga had set conditions before agreeing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ruto, including securing key government positions for his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
10 Pss to be dropped
The Alleged Demands: More Cabinet and PS Positions
According to Gachagua, Odinga reportedly requested six Cabinet Secretary positions and a reshuffle of 15 Principal Secretaries (PSs) to accommodate his political allies.
“For Raila to support the President, he demanded six Cabinet positions—just as we had asked for eight in exchange for our votes. That’s how government works,” Gachagua asserted.
Gachagua also alleged that discussions about restructuring PS appointments had already begun, with changes expected to hit Mount Kenya leaders the hardest.
“On Friday, Raila and the President spent the whole day with Felix Kosgey planning how to reshuffle the PSs,” he said, referring to the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service.
Mount Kenya Allies ‘Silent’ as Reshuffle Looms
Gachagua further accused leaders from Mount Kenya of standing by while their region’s political representation in government is being slashed.
Raila has asked for 15 PS seats, and Ruto has agreed to 10; it’s our people who will give way. What worries me is that it’s one of us from Kikuyu taking minutes on how our people will be persecuted – Rigathi Gachagua.
“We had negotiated for 15 PSs, ensuring that each county in our region had representation, with some counties like Kiambu and Nyeri getting two. Now, Raila is asking for 15 PSs, and I hear he’s being given ten,” Gachagua lamented.
Expressing frustration, he pointed to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as one of the leaders failing to push back against the reshuffle.
He compared the situation to the recent public outcry in support of Health CS Deborah Barasa, whose rumored ouster sparked strong opposition.
“I don’t know if we are bewitched or if the President’s money is making people blind. Our PSs are about to be kicked out, and yet no one is speaking up,” he said.
These claims come amid growing speculation about an imminent government shake-up, with Raila Odinga’s role in President Ruto’s administration still unclear.
Will the alleged reshuffle materialize, and if so, what does it mean for Mount Kenya’s political influence?
As Kenya’s political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes are on the President’s next move.
