It is Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s strong belief that “nothing good comes out of a handshake.” 

A coalition between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, which Gachagua vehemently opposed is now here. It happened right before his eyes, as he flanked his boss President Ruto at State House. 

DP Gachagua witnessed as President Ruto announced the inclusion of notable opposition members into his ‘broad-based’ government. At this point, many observers could try to recall the number of times the “truthful” said he will not be party to any handshake… politics is indeed makes strange bedfellows. 

On 6th April 2023, Gachagua, while attending a church function at the AIPCA church in Kiambu County, said that should there be a handshake between his boss, President Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga, he will not be party to it. 

He said, “Those people should leave me alone. I am not a hardliner; I am just saying what my bosses want. My people do not want a handshake - or do you?” 

Earlier in March 2023, in the heat of protests against the rising cost of living, the DP had this to say: “Even if he (Raila Odinga) goes to the streets, rioting hoping the President will invite him for a handshake deal, that will not happen. I will be roaming in State House compound so that when this mzee tries to sneak in through the back door he finds me there!” 

We do not know when and how the mzee sneaked in, however, mzee has seemingly convinced President Ruto to another mongrel government, or as some call it “nusu mkate” government.

In April 2023, DP Gachagua said concerning Raila, “He had a handshake with our prince who was a good person full of respect but later, you all saw what happened. Even if there is a handshake, I as Rigathi Gachagua will not be there,” … For me, I am the husband to a pastor.”

In October 2023, DP Gachagua was at it again as the National Dialogue Committee was on. DP Gachagua was categorical that Mt. Kenya region will rebel against any proposal that may recommend a handshake with the Azimio opposition party, a position which touched off a war of words with Mr. Odinga.  

At a media interview with Inooro FM in the same month, DP Gachagua was unequivocal that dialogue would not get Mr. Odinga anywhere in his plans to enter government through the back door. He went on to further state that; “I assure you that the talks will get him nowhere. We have agreed with President Ruto that we will not bring him into the government.”

DP Gachagua, however has not been alone in his strong opposition to handshakes, his boss the president is also on record saying during the opposition-led protests in 2023…” hii serikali ni ya ma-hustler, hakuna nusu mkate, hakuna handshake, hakuna hiyo porojo… hawa wanachi walimaliza hiyi kazi mwezi wa nane mwaka jana na wakagawa viti vyote.” 

This must have given Gachagua all the confidence he ever needed on this matter. While addressing a UDA function in 2023, DP Gachagua said that he worried less about “the handshake issue” as he had the confidence given him by the president that he was more against it than himself.

Some observers have now come out to advise Gachagua on taking hard stance against certain national matters. Taking time to express this on X, lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi said, “In Kenya politics, never express yourself definitively on any subject, always maintain constructive ambiguity.”

 The words of Harold Wilson, “a week is a long time in politics” ring very true to the situation DP Gachagua finds himself in today.