Cordial relations return as Ruto, Gachagua unite in public appearances

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his boss, President William Ruto, seem to have buried the hatchet over their much-publicized differences, with their bromance evident over the last few days.

The cordial relations seem to have returned with the exit of President Ruto's entire cabinet, with the two exchanging pleasantries in public—a renewed display of brotherhood that had turned frosty over the months. 

A smiling Deputy President and a military chopper in tow. Relations between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his boss, President William Ruto, seem to have improved in the last few days with the exit of the 5th administration’s inaugural cabinet.

The military bird became available for the DP’s travels two days after the exit of former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who, on the 30th of May this year, through a directive, had stopped the usage of military choppers for politicians. 

Sources then indicated that the country's number two had a police chopper at his disposal, though it was undergoing service at the time. 

The move saw Gachagua lament over difficulties in travel, and even during the Akorino National Prayer Day, he arrived an hour later than President Ruto on a privately chartered chopper.

 "Nilichelewa. I had matatizo with my transport arrangements alafu ikaingia mambo ya hewa nikachelewa kutoka nikakwama pale kati ya Longonot na Naivasha for two hours ndio nifike hapa," Gachagua explained on June 9.

For the past two days, the two have been spotted in public together, and the camaraderie between them, last witnessed months ago, seems to have returned. 

Yesterday, during a tree-planting exercise at the Kaptagat Forest Block, the two engaged in a competition to determine who between them would have planted the most trees by the end of the exercise.

In Ndaragwa today, the two could be seen occasionally breaking the ice during the church function—a situation that was totally different from their body language during this year’s National Prayer Breakfast. 

In their addresses, they occasionally referred to each other as "my deputy" and "my brother and friend

"Rais nakuomba ndugu yangu, my brother...when am here, let me address you as my brother. Let it not happen that poison is brought back to this country to kill our children when you’re the president."Gachagua said. 

President Ruto responded affirmatively, "Mimi nataka nikubaliane na deputy president yakwamba pombe haramu, madawa ya kulevya haiwezi kuendelea katika taifa letu la Kenya."

Could the recent turbulent times in the country have been an awakening call for the two, or is this renewed camaraderie a means to survive the turbulent times?

 Only time will tell.