As the twists and turns surrounding the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua continue, the embattled former second in command has suffered yet another blow following the suspension of majority of the staff working at his office.
This comes as the subsequent nomination and approval of Gachagua’s replacement, and the slamming of brakes on the move by the High Court, continue to stir more debate.
The Kenya Times has learnt of a major looming shakeup in the Office of the DP following the approval of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as Gachagua’s replacement.
A senior staffer in Gachagua’s office who is privy to the looming shakeup said that officials at the office including senior staff have been sent on compulsory leave.
The staffer who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that a memo communicating the decision to send them on leave was circulating as part of the shake-up.
Also, Senior Advisor in President William Ruto‘s Council of Economic Advisors Moses Kuria had in a statement on Friday revealed that majority of the staff working in the Office of the DP have been sent packing.
Gachagua stafff sent packing
The former CS said that about 80% of the staff working in the second in command’s office who have been sent on compulsory leave were from Gachagua’s backyard, Mathira Constituency.
“80% of the staff working in the Office of the Deputy President were from Mathira Constituency. Tonight, they have all been sent on compulsory leave,” said Kuria.
Also Read: Ruto Nominates Deputy President After Gachagua Ouster
Kuria made the remarks amid the speculation that Deputy President-Elect Prof. Kindiki’s swearing-in could happen on Saturday despite the High Court order.
President Ruto on Friday nominated Kindiki as Gachagua’s replacement following the latter’s impeachment by both the National Assembly and Senate.
The National Assembly approved Kindiki’s nomination almost immediately, sparking off speculation that the Interior CS could be sworn in on Saturday.
This was even after the High Court suspended the Senate’s decision to uphold the National Assembly’s October 8 impeachment of Gachagua, in turn stopping Kindiki from assuming office.
Also Read: Kuria Reshares Explosive Letter to Gachagua as Impeachment Looms
Kuria in a cryptic tweet on Friday fueled more speculations about the purported swearing in ceremony.
He accompanied with several photos and videos that appeared to show preparations in top gear at the Uhuru Gardens, the presumed venue for the purported oath-taking ceremony.
Kuria fuels debate on Kindiki’s swearing-in
Ruto’s economic advisor further claimed that the purported swearing in will take place on Saturday at Uhuru Gardens from 9am, and that the gates will be closed once the swearing in arena is full. Kuria cited that the government “cannot afford a Constitutional crisis”.
“The swearing in will take place tomorrow at Uhuru Gardens from 9am. No cards required. Gates will be closed once the swearing in arena is full. We cannot afford a Constitutional crisis. We cannot be another Sudan with 2 Presidents. For the sake of our nation and our families we will swear in Kithure Kindiki as President in Waiting. Courts can deposit their ruling in the pigeonholes. Karibuni Uhuru Gardens 9am,” said Kuria.
A section of Kenyans reacted to Kuria’s tweet with some wondering whether the laying of the stage at the Uhuru Gardens, coupled with Kuria’s cryptic post, lend credence to the swearing-in speculation.
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