from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News)– BY equating Kenya to Haiti, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua depicts how the East African country is descending into anarchy and how political temperatures are flaring up slightly more than a year before the high-stakes election.
Another school of thought argues he is still bitter over his impeachment in 2024 and is still reeling from a fallout with his former boss and running mate, President William Ruto, who is blamed by critics for the current socio-political problems.
Things have taken a tragic turn in recent days, with political rivals and armed gangs running amok.
A parliamentary by-election scheduled for this week has heightened tensions in the country and the enmity between the two men, in a country where personalities dominate politics.
The Ol Kalou Constituency poll set for Thursday has descended into a high-stakes national political contest, mainly seen as a proxy war for dominance over the Mount Kenya region, a Gachagua stronghold.
It is a pivotal voting bloc, comprising more than 6 million registered voters.
While nine contestants are running, this is seen as a two-horse race between Samuel Muchina Nyagah of Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Sammy Kamau Ngotho of Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
At least one person has been killed during election-related violence that has also been dominated by gangs said to have been hired.
The two rival parties are involved in a war of words over accusations of voter bribery.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has threatened to cancel or defer the election if the violence persists.
The election is somewhat viewed as a dress rehearsal for the August 2027 general elections.
“This (Gachagua-Ruto) is no longer just a personal disagreement,” an analyst opined in an interview with CAJ News.
“It has transformed into a broader conflict, fuelling ethnic divisions, inciting violence and impacting governance. While the political system has structures to withstand intense competition, the toxic nature of the Ruto-Gachagua feud keeps Kenya on a knife-edge.”
Gachagua’s party is part of a “United Alternative Government” opposition alliance to challenge Ruto next year.
He has described the current skirmishes as “not just the madness of a nation, but a clear expressway to a failed state and a preparation for anarchy.”
“This East African nation of Haiti, formerly the Republic of Kenya and once known as an island of peace before one Mr William Ruto became its President and lost favour with its people, is being overrun by rogue police officers disguised as goons.”
Since the protests began in Haiti in 2018, that country has become synonymous with a weak central government and powerful armed criminal gangs.
Heavily armed criminal coalitions control an estimated 90 percent of the capital city, Port-au-Prince.
Kenya intervened in Haiti by deploying its first contingent of police officers in June 2024 after voluntarily stepping in.
The events in recent days in the East African country suggest the sharp irony of Kenya sending forces to solve a security crisis abroad while facing severe domestic unrest, rising gang activity and a state crackdown right in its own backyard.
Gachagua drew parallels with Haiti.
“What we have are rogue police officers in plain clothes, hooded and armed, masquerading as goons and deployed to maim and fight citizens. It is no longer a secret; Mr William Ruto has lost control of the country and surrendered his authority to govern.”
The National Police Service reported that 14 suspects arrested in connection with the recent violence and unrest in the Kisumu and Nyahururu regions were arraigned in court today, Monday.
“The National Police Service will not tolerate violence, hooliganism or any disruption of public peace. We remain steadfast in our duty to maintain law and order. Let it be clear: those who choose chaos will be met with the full force of the law.”
It affirmed its commitment to serving and protecting all Kenyans, residents and visitors.
State security agencies and police have previously been accused of human rights violations during the Gen Z anti-government protests and the Saba Ngaruroro commemorations between 2024 and 2026.
Commentator Griffins Modi accused Gachagua of double standards. He noted Gachagua was part of the administration at the height of the suppression of those protests.
“You (Gachagua) only found your voice after your impeachment. You helped build this house; don’t act like a visitor now,” Modi said.
