Duale Claims Failed Attempt to Impeach Ruto During Uhuru’s Presidency
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has come out strongly to respond to recent remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, shedding new light on the strained relationship between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his then-deputy William Ruto.
In his latest statement, Duale introduced fresh claims, alleging that there was once a plan to impeach Ruto while he served as Deputy President, but the attempt failed due to lack of sufficient political support in Parliament.
Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, April 19, Duale claimed that the working relationship between Uhuru and Ruto, especially during the 2017–2022 term, was deeply troubled.
According to him, Ruto was not only sidelined in key government operations but also subjected to public humiliation.
He added that Gachagua, who was also part of the political space at the time, experienced similar treatment from individuals within Uhuru’s inner circle.
Duale stated that those now working closely with Gachagua were the same people who had earlier disrespected both Ruto and Gachagua during Uhuru’s administration.
He emphasized that there were serious intentions to remove Ruto from office through impeachment, but the plan could not succeed because Uhuru allegedly lacked the numbers required in the National Assembly.
The Cabinet Secretary went further to explain his role at the time, noting that he was serving as the Majority Leader and had the backing of more than 145 Members of Parliament who strongly supported Ruto.
This solid bloc, he said, played a key role in blocking any attempts to impeach the then Deputy President.
According to Duale, this parliamentary strength made it impossible for Uhuru to push through any impeachment motion, despite alleged political tensions behind the scenes.
These remarks came shortly after Gachagua publicly warned Duale against criticizing Uhuru. While addressing a church congregation in Murang’a, Gachagua defended the former president, stating that despite their political disagreements, Uhuru never attempted to impeach Ruto.
He contrasted this with his own experience, accusing Ruto of betraying him by allegedly influencing Members of Parliament to support his impeachment.
Gachagua claimed that during Uhuru’s presidency, political differences were handled with restraint and respect.
He insisted that Uhuru never resorted to using state power or financial influence to remove his deputy. According to him, the current political environment under Ruto is very different and more hostile.
The former Deputy President also made serious allegations about events that occurred after he left office.
He claimed that Ruto’s administration has been targeting him through various means, including sending police officers and hired groups to disrupt his home, interfering with his family’s businesses, and allowing public attacks against his wife.
Gachagua suggested that such actions were never witnessed during his time serving under Uhuru.
He further pointed out that during the Uhuru-Ruto administration, Ruto enjoyed full freedom to travel and engage with citizens across the country.
He frequently visited the Mount Kenya region without any restrictions, something Gachagua now claims he is being denied, especially in areas like the Rift Valley where he alleges he has faced political resistance.
The tension between Uhuru and Ruto is widely believed to have escalated in 2018 following the famous handshake between Uhuru and Raila Odinga.
After that moment, Ruto was gradually pushed out of key government decisions, fueling speculation that he could be impeached.
However, despite the growing political divide, no impeachment ever took place — something Duale now attributes to Ruto’s strong support base in Parliament.
In a similar pattern of political fallout, the relationship between Ruto and Gachagua also deteriorated after the 2024 youth-led protests.
This fallout eventually led to Gachagua’s impeachment, a move he continues to describe as a betrayal of the Mount Kenya region and its voters.
On his part, Duale defended the impeachment, arguing that it was justified and largely influenced by Gachagua’s style of politics, which he described as divisive and centered around ethnic interests.
He pointed out that even leaders from Gachagua’s own region, including his Member of Parliament and the county’s Woman Representative, supported the impeachment process, showing that the decision went beyond national politics and reflected local dissatisfaction as well.
Overall, the ongoing exchange of statements between these top political figures highlights the deep divisions within Kenya’s leadership, both past and present.
It also paints a picture of shifting alliances, political rivalries, and the complex power struggles that continue to shape the country’s political landscape.
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