Since independence, Kenya has experienced recurring patterns of political betrayals, often taking the form of presidents sidelining deputies, breaking initial political promises, and other similar actions.
Besides triggering internal political disloyalty and instability, such betrayals have delayed real progress. While betrayal within a country’s political scene is subjective to perspectives. In this segment, Times Digital Kenya has compiled three of the biggest cases in Kenya’s history.
Jomo Kenyatta & Jaramogi Oginga
In the early 1960s, Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta was so close to Jaramogi Oginga that their fallout was unforeseen. However, in 1966, their relationship collapsed due to ideological differences, as Oginga’s socialist inclinations clashed with Kenyatta’s capitalist approach.
Following their fallout, Oginga resigned from his vice-presidential post, setting a precedent for future ideological and ethnic tensions in Kenya.
Uhuru Kenyatta & William Ruto
Using ‘Uhuruto’, an acronym that contained both their names, this duo painted a picture of an ideal political unity. In 2013, Uhuru and Ruto took office under a united ticket, where the former became president and the latter deputy president.
Unexpectedly, soon after securing their second term, Uhuru surprised Kenyans with his 2018 ‘Handshake’ with the late Raila Odinga. In revenge, after being sidelined for the rest of their second term, Ruto cleverly used the betrayal to frame his ‘Hustler vs Dynasty’ narrative that later propelled him to presidency.
Ruto & Gachagua
In 2022, William Ruto won the presidential bid, with Gachagua as his deputy, because of the latter’s influence in the Mt Kenya region. However, after getting into office, the two fell out as quickly as they had united, with Ruto distancing himself from Gachagua’s ‘Shares’ rhetoric that seemed to favor the mountain only.
Within no time, their differences escalated into the public realm, culminating with Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024 on grounds of ethnic exclusion and gross misconduct. To date, the relationship between these two leaders is getting worse as Gachagua continues to garner support against President Ruto, hoping against all odds to oust the incumbent in the 2027 elections.
