Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s staunch allies, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and his Embakasi Central counterpart Benjamin Gathiru, popularly known as Mejja Donk, were prominent attendees at a crucial meeting convened by President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday. The meeting, which focused on the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nairobi River, was attended by a host of leaders, including Principal Secretaries Raymond Omollo (Interior), Julius Korir (Water), and Nixon Korir (Lands), among others.
While the public statement issued after the meeting emphasized a collaborative effort to advance the rehabilitation of Nairobi’s environmental infrastructure, questions arose about the political undertones of the gathering. Both Gakuya and Donk, two prominent figures within Gachagua’s political camp, have been vocal supporters of the Deputy President, a fact that has not gone unnoticed in the current political landscape.
Gakuya and Donk have long been seen as key allies of Gachagua, regularly appearing at public events across the Mt. Kenya region to express their unwavering support for him. Their presence at the State House meeting underscored their ongoing loyalty to Gachagua, despite the recent political turbulence surrounding the Deputy President.
The meeting’s primary focus, according to the brief communiqué released to the media, was the progress of the Nairobi River rehabilitation project. President Ruto took the opportunity to urge city leaders to shift their focus away from partisan politics and instead prioritize the development of Nairobi. “He urged them to shun politics and support the projects that will change the face of the capital city,” the statement read.
However, the timing of the meeting and the attendance of Gakuya and Donk sparked speculation about the political motivations behind the gathering. The meeting took place amid ongoing discussions concerning the alleged impeachment of Gachagua, a move that has been the subject of considerable debate in political circles.
Donk, speaking on Sunday, reiterated his strong support for Gachagua, dismissing calls for the Deputy President to step down in light of the impeachment discussions. “We must continue to stay as friends. During the impeachment, many people were telling him to resign so that he could get a chance to contest in 2027, but I told him to stay put,” Donk stated, signaling his unyielding loyalty to Gachagua’s leadership.
Furthermore, Donk expressed confidence that Gachagua would receive justice in the courts, remaining resolute in the face of the political pressures mounting on his ally. His remarks underscored the deep divisions in the political sphere, with Gachagua’s supporters rallying behind him, even as his critics push for accountability.
Gakuya, too, has been vocal in defending Gachagua, particularly in the aftermath of his questioning by detectives regarding his involvement in the anti-tax protests that recently rocked the nation. Gakuya and Donk were interrogated on July 31 by authorities, who allegedly tied them to the protests. However, Gakuya vehemently denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigations as a “witchhunt” and demanding that authorities produce concrete evidence if they had any basis for their claims.
“Anybody with any evidence, any fact, of whatever misdeed we did, should come very clear and tell us this particular day we financed this or mobilized that…these are the things they should table,” Gakuya said after being released. Despite these allegations, Gakuya and Donk have maintained their stance, remaining steadfast in their political alliance with Gachagua.
As the political drama continues to unfold, Gakuya and Donk’s attendance at the State House meeting serves as a reminder of the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of Kenyan politics. Despite the call for unity and development from President Ruto, the underlying tensions within the ruling party remain palpable, particularly as Gachagua’s allies push back against the growing pressure for accountability. As the investigation into the anti-tax protests progresses, Gakuya and Donk’s resilience in defending their political positions will likely continue to shape the discourse around Gachagua’s future and his role within the administration.
The path ahead for Deputy President Gachagua is fraught with challenges, but the support of his key allies, including Gakuya and Donk, indicates that the battle is far from over. Whether or not these political skirmishes will influence Nairobi’s development agenda remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes in this political drama are high, and the fight for influence within the ruling coalition is intensifying.
