Let's find a permanent cure for the 'curse' of deputy presidents

News of removal of Rigathi Gachagua was received differently across the country, depending on one's political affiliation. Some argued the move was long overdue, while others viewed it as a political betrayal. However, in my view, President William Ruto's action is not new in Kenya's political landscape. He is not the first leader to sideline key political allies. It has happened since  country's independence.

Although we are currently governed under the 2010 Constitution, political dynamics have largely remained unchanged. The removal of a deputy president, or vice president  (VP) under the old constitution, if you like, has happened many time in Kenya's history; from Jomo Kenyatta’s administration through to the current one.

For instance, when the colonial rule ended, the British reportedly wanted Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to lead the country. However, Odinga refused to, arguing that Kenya could not achieve true freedom with Jomo Kenyatta still imprisoned.

Despite his sacrifice, he was frustrated and resigned as VP after serving for only a year and four months. Following Odinga's resignation, Joseph Murumbi took over but also resigned after just four months due to frustration coupled with the assassination of his friend Pio Gama Pinto. This trend of VPs being sidelined continued under subsequent presidents, including Moi and Mwai Kibaki.

Under Moi, Josphat Karanja, served for a year and the resigned to avoid vote of no confidence. Then came in, George Saitoti, the longest serving VP. At one point, Moi stayed without a VP for 14 months. Moi's VP was Musalia Mudavadi who served for just for two months.

Moody Awori served one term with Mwai Kibaki and this was after the passing on of Kijana Wamalwa but the reasons for Awori’s removal in Kibaki's second term remain unclear. He picked Kalonzo Musyoka thereafter. Similarly, while Uhuru Kenyatta did not directly engineer the removal of his deputy, William Ruto, the two had frequent disagreements, and Ruto was subjected to disrespect and psychological pressure by his juniors, all under Uhuru's watch.

Rather than focus on ethnic divisions to criticise the President, it is time for Kenya to reflect and seek a solution to the recurring issue of deputies being sidelined. We must ask whether it is the presidents who are unwilling to share power with their deputies or if it is the deputies who, for political reasons, seek to outshine their bosses. For the stability of any administration, the DP should be someone committed to supporting the President’s agenda and not using the position to advance their own political ambitions.

This issue is not just confined to national politics; it also affects county governments with fights between governors and their deputies. When there is infighting, it is the citizens who suffer due to poor service delivery.

Interestingly, it seems that only in Kenya do deputy presidents often overshadow their bosses, as in neighbouring countries, the role is more reserved.

Therefore, instead of some people rallying together to criticise Ruto’s administration over Gachagua’s removal, we should come together as a nation to address the root causes of these political tensions. We need to find a solution that ensures we do not continue witnessing public spats between presidents and their deputies.

Mr Muthama is a commissioner with the Parliamentary Service Commission