In what started as a political bromance, President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua have enjoyed a cordial relationship ever since they assumed office on September 13th, 2022. Even before the 2022 general election, choosing Rigathi Gachagua as the DP was a good strategy. His main role was to attack and silence former president Uhuru Kenyatta. He did that homework well, thanks to his abrasive style of doing politics. The duo had a good relationship for the better part of last year, and the optics could not lie. This could be seen as the DP used to accompany the president in different functions. Other times, he could escort the head of state whenever he was jetting out of the country. If this is anything to go by, it is evident that they were reading from the same script. When Did the Rain Start Beating DP Rigathi Gachagua? Things started getting tough for DP Rigathi Gachagua this year when a section of Mount Kenya leaders debated who could deputize the head of state in 2027. Some leaders, led by Murang’a senator Joe Nyutu, recommended Honorable Ndindi Nyoro, Kiharu MP, to deputize President William Ruto in 2027. This can be attributed to the fact that Ndindi Nyoro is seen as one of the powerbrokers in UDA and a very close ally of President William Ruto. Later, DP Gachagua apologized to former president Uhuru Kenyatta and his family for badmouthing them before and after the 2022 general election. Remember that DP Rigathi Gachagua was a fierce critic of former president Uhuru Kenyatta. DP’s Damascus moment shocked many across the political circles. This sudden change of mind might have made President William Ruto change his strategy for his DP, Rigathi Gachagua.  DP Rigathi Gachagua Uhuru Kenyatta alongside Mama Ngina Kenyatta. During the recently held tree-planting event, DP Rigathi Gachagua was conspicuously missing. He did not go to Bomet County as expected, where he was supposed to lead the tree planting process. The tree-planting event is among the 11 state functions he should have attended alongside the head of state. During all this while, his phone was off, and Kenyans started asking about the whereabouts of the second in command. After being away for a whole week, DP Rigathi Gachagua appeared on May 21st, 2024 in Endarasha Catholic Church, situated in Kieni constituency. He said that he had taken time to meditate, pray, and fast for Kenya inside Mt. Kenya. Since then, the DP has been in the limelight. He is often seen alone or accompanying the president during state functions such as the Madaraka Day event in Bungoma County. Who is Against Gachagua, and Will the Center Hold? DP Rigathi Gachagua is facing fierce opposition from the UDA party. Some of President William Ruto’s key allies are against the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ debate led by the second in command. Apart from Nyeri’s leadership and a few UDA leaders, the rest seem to antagonize DP Rigathi Gachagua. Perhaps this is why he has spearheaded unity talks in the Mt. Kenya region. With the dalliance between President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi growing by the day, DP Rigathi Gachagua must play his cards well not to undergo humiliation like his boss during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term. With Opposition Supremo Raila Odinga backing the ‘one man, one vote, one shilling’ push, a lot is bound to change politically. In the coming days, DP Rigathi Gachagua may find a new set of political friends. Watch this space!