War On Paper: UDA Counters Gachagua’s Resignation with Cold Smile

In a letter dated May 12, 2025, former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has tendered his official resignation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party. In his words, Rigathi Gachagua has cited the erosion of the Party's settled principles during its formulation, reiterating his belief that the current regime is unfit to lead.

“I have made this decision in knowledge of the ideals of the Party we believed in and so were millions of Kenyans, but now has turned out as the most dangerous political moment for the people and the Republic of Kenya in retrogressive philosophy of unfit class to govern out Nation,” Gachagua noted.

The former DP has hinted at a stretch of truth in President Ruto’s 2022 affirmation of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto during campaigns: “UDA Party is founded on the ideology that the national aspirations—justice, peace, freedom, prosperity—are a covenant that binds us to political inclusion and economic empowerment of all Kenyans."

In the spirit of reminisce, Gachagua has spotlighted ‘THE PLAN’ – UDA’s framework that included intentions to better five core sectors: Agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) economy, Housing and Settlement, Healthcare and Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy.

He has painted a grim picture of its implementation, saying, “The sectors are now a Centre of crime with no tangible gains to the people of Kenya.”

In response to the former DP’s resignation, the UDA Party, through its Secretary General, Hassan Omar Hassan, dealt a heftier blow, stating that his impeachment as DP occasioned his removal as Deputy Party Leader in October 2024. 

The Party has hinted at ulterior motives by Gachagua linked to his resignation letter. “Your belated resignation is a futile attempt to rewrite the facts of your incompetence arising from your inability to understand and execute the mandate of your office,” the letter read in part.

UDA Party has further expressed misplaced faith in the former DP’s likelihood to hold office again, noting, “You distinguished yourself as the worst of the tribal bigots to hold such high office in Kenya. I am sure Kenya will never again have your likes in national leadership.”

Trashing the DP’s claims on implementation of ‘THE PLAN,’ the Party has aligned the grounds established by Parliament, which warranted his impeachment, to his inability to internalize the framework as the most progressive socio-economic transformation agenda in Kenya’s history.

The ruling Party has additionally voiced relief in Gachagua’s resignation, terming it a welcome announcement that “Kenya’s most divisive character is out,” cementing its goodwill that “UDA will always preserve the unity of the State at any cost.”