Chaos erupted this morning as staff of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were denied access to their offices at Harambee Annex in Nairobi.
Police from the Rapid Deployment Unit have reportedly taken control of the building, blocking media personnel from conducting interviews or taking photos.
According to Citizen TV, employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that upon arriving at work, they were instructed to return home until further notice.
This incident follows the recent compulsory leave of 108 staff members, delivering a significant blow to the operations at Gachagua’s office.
“Following the ongoing constitutional process affecting his excellency the Deputy President it has been decided as follows: all officers in job groups T and U are hereby and instructed to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect,” A notice released on Saturday by Principal Administrative Secretary Patrick Mwangi, with copies sent to Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, stated.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak Show, Belgut MP Nelson Koech raised concerns about the large number of staff at the DP’s office, specifically pointing out the vast array of advisors available to Gachagua.
“I was reading the notice sent by Mr. Patrick Mwangi and do you need advisors, for instance, of all sorts and kinds, a food advisor, political advisor? 108 is huge! The country is reeling from all sorts of unemplyoment and I don’t think it was fair for Gachagua to have such a huge number of hangers’ on.”
In addition, Gachagua’s security detail has been withdrawn. The beleaguered Gachagua has voiced his grievances regarding the treatment he has received, placing full blame on President Ruto.
“I don’t understand this kind of viciousness towards a man who has been your deputy, who has helped you become president, irrespective of whatever he has done. At his lowest moment in life, when he is literally struggling to stay alive,” he stated while making his first public appearance after being hospitalized at Karen Hospital.
Following his impeachment, Gachagua was succeeded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki, who received approval from the National Assembly last week.
In an effort to salvage his political future, Rigathi Gachagua has taken his case to court and received a significant reprieve when the High Court issued conservatory orders halting the swearing-in of the newly appointed DP, Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The Office of the Deputy President is one of the busiest in the country, and this latest development is likely to raise questions about how operations will proceed moving forward.