Gachagua Now Caught in Middle of Shock Handshake He Denied Would Happen
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua firmly believes that “nothing good comes out of a handshake.”
Despite Gachagua’s strong opposition, a coalition between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga has come to fruition.
This development occurred while Gachagua stood by President Ruto at State House, witnessing the announcement of the inclusion of significant opposition figures into the ‘broad-based’ government.
Observers may recall the numerous times Gachagua declared he would not support any handshake, highlighting the unpredictable nature of politics.
On April 6, 2023, during a church event at AIPCA Church in Kiambu County, Gachagua stated he would not support any handshake between President Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
He emphasized, “Those people should leave me alone. I am not a hardliner; I am just saying what my bosses want. My people do not want a handshake – or do you?”
Earlier in March 2023, amidst protests over the rising cost of living, Gachagua remarked that Raila Odinga’s efforts to instigate a handshake deal through protests would be futile.
He asserted, “Even if he (Raila Odinga) goes to the streets, rioting hoping the President will invite him for a handshake deal, that will not happen. I will be roaming in the State House compound so that when this mzee tries to sneak in through the back door he finds me there!”
While it’s unclear how and when Raila Odinga managed to persuade President Ruto, it appears that another coalition government, often referred to as a “nusu mkate” government, has been formed.
ALSO READ:
- Inside Job Exposed: Kenyan Prison Wardens Convicted for Orchestrating Daring Terrorist Escape
- Uganda Pulls the Plug: Nationwide Internet Blackout Ordered Days Before Crucial General Election
- African Elections Under the Spotlight as Zambia Turns to Kenya Ahead of 2026 Vote
- “Two Drug Barons in Cabinet?” Kenya Government Fires Back as Ex-Deputy President Sparks Explosive Drug Claims
- Kenyan Court Freezes Use of Private Lawyers by Government, Sparks Nationwide Legal Storm
In April 2023, Gachagua reiterated his stance, stating, “He had a handshake with our prince who was a good person full of respect but later, you all saw what happened. Even if there is a handshake, I as Rigathi Gachagua will not be there. For me, I am the husband to a pastor.”
In October 2023, as the National Dialogue Committee convened, Gachagua firmly opposed any proposal recommending a handshake with the Azimio opposition party, sparking a war of words with Raila Odinga.
During an interview with Inooro FM, Gachagua was adamant that dialogue would not allow Odinga to enter the government through the back door, stating, “I assure you that the talks will get him nowhere. We have agreed with President Ruto that we will not bring him into the government.”
President Ruto has also publicly opposed handshakes, stating during the 2023 opposition-led protests, “Hii serikali ni ya ma-hustler, hakuna nusu mkate, hakuna handshake, hakuna hiyo porojo… hawa wananchi walimaliza hiyi kazi mwezi wa nane mwaka jana na wakagawa viti vyote.” This stance reinforced Gachagua’s confidence in opposing the handshake.
Addressing a UDA function in 2023, Gachagua expressed his confidence in the president’s stronger opposition to the handshake, allowing him to worry less about the issue.
Some observers have advised Gachagua to avoid taking definitive stances on national matters. Lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, sharing his thoughts on X, suggested, “In Kenya politics, never express yourself definitively on any subject, always maintain constructive ambiguity.”
Harold Wilson’s words, “a week is a long time in politics,” aptly describe the current situation Gachagua finds himself in.
Gachagua Now Caught in Middle of Shock Handshake He Denied Would Happen
