As Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces mounting political pressure and the threat of impeachment, sources close to the situation reveal that his camp has reached out to President William Ruto in hopes of negotiating a favorable exit before an anticipated Senate vote this Thursday.
According to The Standard newspaper on Tuesday, insiders at State House disclosed that emissaries acting on Gachagua’s behalf have approached the President seeking guarantees for specific privileges should he voluntarily resign.
This comes amid growing speculation over Gachagua’s future, with his political survival hanging in the balance ahead of the Senate’s impeachment debate.
Under the Constitution, a Deputy President who is impeached and forced out of office before serving half of their five-year term loses all privileges associated with the role.
According to sources, Gachagua’s representatives have requested that Ruto ensure he retains key entitlements, including security detail, VIP status, and vehicles, even if he steps down before the Senate vote.
Among the perks Gachagua’s team is reportedly seeking are the retention of two saloon vehicles and one four-wheel-drive vehicle, fuel allowances, and continued access to VIP areas at airports and other government facilities.
Additionally, they have requested a generous pension package, amounting to 80% of his last salary in office, alongside a lump sum payout calculated based on his term in office.
While it remains unclear whether President Ruto has responded to these requests, the outreach signals Gachagua’s desire to avoid a politically bruising Senate trial.
Sources privy to the discussions suggest that Gachagua is keen to negotiate a dignified exit rather than risk being unceremoniously ousted.
“The emissaries have communicated his requests to the President. Whether Ruto responds directly or through intermediaries remains to be seen,” source familiar with the negotiations stated.
The Senate impeachment vote, which could mark the end of Gachagua’s tenure as Deputy President, looms large.
Whether he opts to resign beforehand or faces the full force of the political storm in the Senate, the outcome could have some implications for the future of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
By Nairobi