Gachagua Reveals What Sifuna Told Him Face-to-Face About 2024 Impeachment

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed what Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna told him when he confronted him over the October 2024 impeachment that ended his tenure in office. Surprisingly, Gachagua says he accepted the explanation, despite the political wounds left by the dramatic removal.

Speaking during a television interview on Wednesday, October 28, Gachagua recounted how he raised the sensitive issue when Sifuna visited his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County on October 20. The meeting brought together leaders now exploring cooperation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to Gachagua, he looked Sifuna straight in the face and questioned how they could work together after the senator participated in the process that removed him from office. He wanted to understand how Sifuna reconciled his earlier political position with their emerging partnership.

Gachagua said Sifuna explained that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which was then in the opposition, had acted in its own political interests. The senator reportedly argued that the two belonged to opposing camps and that his actions should be understood within that political context.

The former deputy president quoted Sifuna as telling him, “If you were in our shoes, you would have done the same.” He also said the senator explained that Gachagua had helped President William Ruto secure support from the Mount Kenya region, making his removal politically significant.

According to Gachagua, Sifuna believed removing him would weaken Ruto’s relationship with the region that had played a major role in his 2022 presidential victory. The former deputy president said he understood the argument and viewed ODM’s actions as political strategy rather than personal betrayal.

Gachagua subsequently drew a distinction between political opponents and former allies. He argued that Sifuna and ODM could not have betrayed him because they had never been on the same political side. Instead, he pointed fingers at members of Kenya Kwanza who had campaigned alongside him.

The former deputy president maintained that the real betrayal came from people who had worked with him and shared political commitments before his impeachment. He suggested that his former allies should explain their actions to Mount Kenya voters as political alignments continue shifting ahead of the next election.

Gachagua’s remarks come as opposition leaders explore ways of uniting against President Ruto in 2027. His engagement with Sifuna has attracted attention because the two politicians previously occupied opposing political camps but are now holding discussions about Kenya’s political future.

The former deputy president has also indicated that he is willing to support a joint opposition presidential candidate if leaders agree on a suitable flag-bearer. However, the question of who will lead the coalition remains unresolved, with several prominent politicians positioning themselves for the contest.

His latest account suggests that the 2024 impeachment may no longer be an obstacle to cooperation between him and Sifuna. Whether their emerging relationship can translate into a lasting political alliance will become clearer as opposition negotiations continue ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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