DP Rigathi Gachagua faces political survival as support wanes

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

For a while now, the clouds have been gathering for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. How long it will take before the storm finally breaks is a matter of conjecture. Mr. Gachagua took to his work with gusto, exuberantly protected his turf and, in a moment of unguarded excitement, likened Kenya to a 'shareholder company'.

His unconcealed vitriolic attacks against former President Uhuru Kenyatta and denigration of Raila Odinga portrayed him as a man driven by vendetta. It was evident from the outset that he needed grooming, in diplospeak, in order to function effectively as Kenya's second in command. It eluded him that whatever came out of his mouth would be interpreted in a million ways; that he needed to be circumspect in his pronouncements.