DP Gachagua Sacks Top Aides Amid Political Rifts
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has fired two of his top aides, fueling speculation about deepening divisions within Kenya’s government.
On Tuesday, August 20, Martha Miano, Deputy Director of Public Communications, and Francis Ngotho Maina, Personal Assistant, were let go.
According to termination letters, both will be leaving the office by October 20.
According to sources, the official reason for their dismissal is incompetence, but insiders believe the situation is more complicated.
Allegations have surfaced that the duo’s loyalty to President William Ruto may have played a role in their removal, raising concerns among political analysts.
This development comes just weeks after rumours of spying in Gachagua’s office surfaced, adding to the mystery surrounding the Deputy President’s inner circle.
In a letter to Francis Ngotho Maina, the DP’s office mentioned the Local Agreement Form (Revised 2017).
“The Government may at any time determine the engagement of the person engaged by giving him/her two (2) months’ notice in writing or paying him/her two (2) months’ salary in lieu of notice,” read the statement.
The letter also stated that Maina would receive his full remuneration package and service gratuity until October 19.
Martha Miano received a similar notice, which cited the same clause from the Local Agreement Form as the reason for her dismissal.
The letters to both aides detailed the terms of their departure, including a prorated service gratuity of 31% of their basic salary.
This sudden firing follows escalating tensions within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the ruling party.
Earlier this month, Cleophas Malala, a close ally of Gachagua, was abruptly dismissed from his position.
Malala claims that his removal is part of a larger plot to pave the way for an impeachment motion against Gachagua, which has not been proven but has heightened the political drama.
To make matters worse, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has recently conducted extensive investigations into three of the Deputy President’s close allies.
They were questioned about their alleged role in funding anti-government protests that claimed the lives of at least 61 people.
These developments have strained Gachagua’s already fragile relationship with President Ruto.
Gachagua’s interview with Kikuyu media earlier this month only added fuel to the fire.
The Deputy President claimed that an assassination attempt was made on one of his aides, Patrick Gikonyo, in July.
According to Gachagua, Gikonyo narrowly escaped death after a gunman on a motorcycle fired at his vehicle, shattering the driver’s window and grazing his right hand.
The incident occurred on Suguta Road in Nairobi, as Gikonyo was driving home from a hotel in Kileleshwa.
Gikonyo, who previously served as Nairobi County’s head of intelligence, is one of the 13 operatives Gachagua claims were redeployed from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in questionable circumstances.
During his interview, Gachagua was forthright in his criticism of the NIS, accusing the agency of engaging in political manoeuvring against him.
He claimed to have informed President Ruto about how state security agencies were allegedly being used to settle political scores and undermine his authority.
DP Gachagua Sacks Top Aides Amid Political Rifts
