The cold war within the Kenya Kwanza cabinet has exploded into a public brawl. Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a blistering ultimatum to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: "Name them or shut up."

The confrontation stems from Gachagua's explosive claim over the weekend that two sitting Cabinet Secretaries are actively protecting drug barons and undermining the fight against illicit brew in Mt Kenya. The DP framed the issue as a battle for the soul of the region's youth, hinting that his efforts were being sabotaged from within the executive.

"Political Hallucinations"

Murkomen, speaking at a function in Elgeyo Marakwet, dismissed the DP's allegations as "political hallucinations" designed to distract from his waning influence. "You cannot sit in the same Cabinet, eat at the same table, and then go to a funeral to cast aspersions on your colleagues," Murkomen fired back. "If you have evidence, take it to the DCI. Stop using the drug menace as a political football."

• The Power Play: Analysts view the "drug baron" narrative as Gachagua's latest tactic to force a cabinet reshuffle, aiming to purge powerful ministers perceived as threats to his 2027 positioning.
• The Risk: The public spat signals a complete breakdown of collective responsibility. "When the second-in-command attacks his own government’s officers, it creates paralysis," noted political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi. "The police do not know whose orders to follow."

Ruto's Silence

President Ruto has remained conspicuously silent on the feud, a stance that some interpret as tacit approval of the pushback against his deputy. As the verbal artillery intensifies, the unity of the presidency appears to be the first casualty.