The political ceasefire in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been shattered. Molo MP Kuria Kimani, a key ally of President Ruto and Chair of the powerful Finance Committee, has launched a scorching attack on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, labelling his recent remarks on education as "retrogressive and primitive."

The confrontation signals a deepening rift within the presidency. At the heart of the dispute is Gachagua’s demand that Grade 10 students from Mt Kenya be given priority in local national schools—a stance Kimani argues is an attempt to balkanize the country’s education system for cheap populist points.

The "Village Elder" Mentality

Speaking in his constituency, Kimani did not mince words. He accused the Deputy President of reducing himself to a "village elder" instead of acting like a national statesman. "You cannot hold the second-highest office in the land and preach tribalism to our children," Kimani fired back.

• The Policy Clash: While Gachagua argues that parents "invested" in these schools and deserve slots, Kimani counters that national schools are funded by the exchequer—meaning taxes from every Kenyan, including those in Molo and Turkana.
• Proxy Wars: Analysts view Kimani’s outburst not as a lone wolf attack but as a sanctioned strike by the President’s inner circle, designed to cut Gachagua down to size.
• The Risk: The MP warned that Gachagua’s rhetoric risks inciting ethnic hatred in schools, turning innocent learners into pawns in a high-stakes succession battle.

A House Divided

As the "One Man, One Shilling" debate morphs into "One Man, One School slot," the ruling coalition is looking increasingly fragile. If the President’s key lieutenants are now openly calling his deputy "primitive," the center cannot hold for long.