Gachagua Allies on Ruto’s Chopping Board as Wetangula Gives Orders

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua‘s allies risk being removed from key parliamentary committees as President William Ruto seeks to cement his grip on power. 

This follows a directive from the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who ordered the reconstitution of committees on Tuesday, January 28.

Wetangula gave the directive during the opening of the 2025 Mid-Term Retreat for Members of Parliament (MPs) in Naivasha.

Speaking at the retreat, Wetangula directed the Leader of the Majority, Kimani Ichung’wah, and the Leader of the Minority, Junet Mohammed, to expedite the restructuring process.

“I hereby direct the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader to move in earnest and reconstruct the 18 committees whose terms ended with the last session,” Wetangula said.

“Now, get ready to bring to the House Business Committee the new list of members for various committees, so we can process and establish new leadership or continued leadership, taking into account performance, regular attendance at committee meetings, and contributions made,” he added.

The debate to purge Gachagua’s allies from key committees has been ongoing since the former DP was impeached by the National Assembly.

One of the reasons leaders perceived to be allied with Gachagua may be ousted from committees is their loyalty to the former Deputy President, who fell out with President William Ruto and has launched an onslaught against Ruto’s administration.

MPs working with Gachagua are seen as undermining the President, given they belong to the same party.

Another reason Gachagua’s allies face the axe is their opposition to the broad-based government spearheaded by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after the June 25, 2024, anti-finance bill protests, despite being members of President Ruto’s UDA party.

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As a result, the Head of State wants loyalists in committee positions to champion the government’s agenda.

On October 29, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar hinted that the party would remove Gachagua’s allies from parliamentary committees but emphasized that the decision would be made by the MPs.

“We are not vindictive as a party. They will continue to serve in their positions, but there is certainly a need to align,” Omar stated.

“The members of parliamentary committees will make decisions on their own about whether they should continue serving in leadership positions. If they decide that they no longer have faith in them, then that’s it,” he added.

List of MPs likely to be kicked out of committees

Some MPs likely to be targeted by the purge include Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who chairs the Trade Committee in the National Assembly.

Another MP potentially facing the purge is Githunguri MP Muthoni Wamuchomba, who has been vocal in criticizing President Ruto while defending Gachagua.

She also chairs the National Assembly’s Constitution and Implementation Oversight Committee.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly, is also a target.

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Nyoro has been seen as a fence-sitter by many and has been absent from several of President Ruto’s functions, including the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.

He was also missing during the vote on Gachagua’s impeachment, where UDA MPs were instructed to vote for the impeachment.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru is also on the chopping board.

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