Africa, and specifically Kenya treat funerals as sacred and a moment of mourning, remembering the departeds best moments and memories. But when a politician dies, funerals in Kenya evolves beyond mourning, they are political theatres where every one opens their claws. The burial of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho was not just another stage. It became what would be a defining moment, a rare public confrontation that exposed the widening political rift between former allies: Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto.
Once second-in-command, Rigathi Gachagua stands outside the corridors of power but at the center stage of politics. Impeached, yes, but politically alive. His fallout with President William Ruto has been boiling since 2024, but at Ol Kalou, this turned into an open defiance. A showdown of political masculinity.
Standing before mourners, traditionally, this should have been a respectful moment. Gachagua did the unexpected: he asserting authority in a space dominated by the presidency. Positioned himself as the voice of Mt. Kenya, signaling that his political legitimacy did not end with impeachment. A simple but loaded: power is not just in office. It is in the people.
Gachagua boldly asked the crowd and the Kikuyu community in general – that Ruto be accorded the respect he deserves as the president, a statement that, in Kenyan political hierarchy, was nothing short of provocative. And true, this was not just rhetoric. It was a symbolic reversal of roles.
Ruto’s response was swiftly and firmly paunced back. He rejected any notion of seeking permission, “I can not be asked for permission from anybody, nor am I going to ask for permission from anybody. I will speak and deliver to all the people of Kenya as the President of Kenya,” Ruto said, emphasizing presidential authority.
That exchange, though subtle yet sharp. It captured the essence of the moment: two leaders, once united, now competing for power and legitimacy in full public view.
The Battle At hand: Mt. Kenya Supremacy
At the center of this confrontation lies a deeper struggle, control and dominance of the Mt. Kenya voting bloc.
Gachagua made it clear that despite his impeachment, he still commands loyalty in the region. He reminded the audience that while he may have been removed from office, he remains “in the hearts of the people.”
This was critical as Mt. Kenya is not just a region; it is a decisive political battleground. By asserting himself there, Gachagua wasn’t just challenging Ruto—he was laying groundwork for 2027.
Funerals traditionally demand unity and respect. Yet this one turned into what observers described as a political battleground, highlighting how deep the divisions have become. What made Ol Kalou significant was not just the clash but the setting.
Take a look at the optics:
Two leaders arriving separately
Speaking with contrasting tones
Addressing each other but indirectly through the crowd
It was less of a dialogue—and more of a duel.
This confrontation signals three key shifts in Kenyan politics:
1. Gachagua is No Longer Playing Defense. He is no longer reacting to his impeachment but he is actively shaping a political narrative.
2. Ruto’s Authority is Being Publicly Tested. While still firmly in power, the President is now facing open dissent from within his former inner circle.
3. 2027 Has Already Begun. This was not just a clash, it was an early campaign signal. Gachagua has already declared interest in challenging Ruto, and moments like Ol Kalou are building that momentum.
The Ol Kalou burial may be remembered less for mourning and more for marking a political turning point. In that brief exchange, Gachagua did what many politicians hesitate. Confronting power, directly, publicly, and unapologetically.
In doing so, he sent a clear message. The contest for Kenya’s future is unfolding in the open.
