Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s derision of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s foreign trips has lifted the lid on the tension between the two.
A group of Western Kenyan Kwanza politicians defended Mr. Mudavadi on Monday after Mr. Gachagua made the implication that the Prime CS’s international travels were of little benefit to Kenyans.
In response to rumours that Mr. Mudavadi had been appointed as President William Ruto’s ambassador-at-large because of his travels abroad on behalf of the Head of State, Mr. Gachagua expressed his reaction to the reports.
The DP said in a media interview on Friday: “Let me tell you, the only foreign trip I will attend is that which will bring development because I do not have interest in attending swearing-in ceremonies,” he added. “I have asked the President to give me a moment to address the problem of alcohol and marijuana use among our youth. I am confident they will be able to find employment once they have undergone a reformation. This is a significant role, and it is preferable to making more than 20 trips abroad.
Omboko Milemba, the secretary-general of the Amani National Congress (ANC), claimed that Mr. Gachagua’s criticism of Mr. Mudavadi’s travels was unnecessary.
“There is no need for demeaning any government trips because they are all funded by taxpayers and sanctioned by the President,” he said.
Beatrice Adagala, a representative for Vihiga Woman, claimed that the DP lacked understanding of the fact that “a country’s international relations are forged through friendly visits.
“It’s not necessary that you return with a chest full of gold from a foreign trip like a pirate. He’s undermining the very reason we have foreign missions,” she said.
“It’s unfortunate that the Deputy President deems presidential representation by the Prime CS to Nigeria as less important. Kenya is in a community of nations and any role it plays globally is crucial,” Ms Adagala added.
“During inaugurations, various heads of state attend. Even when our government was being inaugurated with Mr. Gachagua being sworn in as deputy president, we had several heads of state grace the occasion as a sign of mutual respect and cordial diplomatic relations,” said Mr. Milemba.
He advised the DP to moderate his statements and have respect for other government officials.
“There is no need for such outbursts, especially within the same government,” he said.
Ms. Adagala stated that Mr. Mudavadi is not in a competitive relationship with H.E. Rigathi and that one of his responsibilities as Prime Cabinet Secretary is to support the president and the deputy president.
According to Professor David Monda of City University of New York, President Ruto has a dual strategy for using Mr. Mudavadi to carry out the nation’s Look West economic policy.
In order to keep Mount Kenya guessing as to who will succeed Ruto in Kenyan politics, Prof. Monda said Mudavadi is a crucial component in balancing the growing power and autonomy of his DP Rigathi Gachagua. He claimed that Mr. Mudavadi is also crucial to the President’s victory in 2027.
