• On several recent occasions, the Deputy President has been forced to resort to alternative means of transport following ‘directives from above’ stating that politicians should not be allowed to use military choppers. This comes as rumours of the duo split heighten following his absence at 11 state functions, including Uganda’s President Museveni’s three-day visit to the country between May 15 and May 17.
On several recent occasions, the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been forced to resort to alternative means of transport following ‘directives from above’ stating that politicians should not be allowed to use military choppers. This comes as rumours of the duo split heighten following his absence at 11 state functions, including Uganda’s President Museveni’s three-day visit to the country between May 15 and May 17.

Speaking at an interview panel on Citizen TV on May 20, 2024, former Kiambu County Assembly Speaker, Stephen Ndichu pointed out that President Ruto is sidelining Deputy President Gachagua.

“Everybody in this country now knows what made Deputy President Gachagua stay away from Nairobi for a whole week. The Deputy president was assigned to go plant trees in Bomet and as usual, he asked his office to call for the military chopper to take him to Bomet. But somebody from the military, told the office of the deputy president, that powers from above have said from now on, politicians will not be allowed to use Military choppers. That was a direct hit on the Deputy President,” Mr Ndichu said.

Mr Ndichu pointed out that this also happened when the Deputy President tried requesting a Military chopper to ferry him to Mbeere, forcing him to drive.

“You can even see the Deputy President talking in Mbeere at the ACK church, a bit a Man, and this is where he announced and said, “I'm not only a supporter, but a proponent of the One Man, One Vote, One Shilling Mantra.” And when he left Mbeere, he passed through Kagumo, where he re-emphasized that, and upon reaching his home in Mathira, he switched off his phone and was incommunicado for a whole week,” Mr Ndichu added.

Mr Ndichu also claimed that he had insider information that the President tried to reach Gachagua to receive President Yoweri Museveni at the airport to no avail, so he resorted to sending Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Rigathi Gachagua confirmed his whereabouts on May 19, in an appearance at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Endarasha in Kieni, Nyeri County after a week of no show. He revealed that he had been roving Nyeri incognito to monitor the youth situation in light of the fight against illicit brew.

He however stayed clear of the topic about strained relations between him and the president, which was raised by other leaders accompanying him to the service, arguing that he was a man of few words.