Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has warned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua about the dangers of violating the number one law of power – never outshine the master.
Ngunyi noted that Gachagua outshined his boss, President William Ruto, during their inauguration at Kasarani stadium on September 13, 2022, and on Friday, September 23, 2022, when he flew a Kenya Air Force jet to Kisumu.
The political analyst warned Gachagua to learn from late President Daniel Arap Moi’s advice that the presidency is a jealous institution.
“Dear Riggy G. First LAW of POWER: Never OUTSHINE your MASTER. You did this on Inauguration Day. And today you FLEW in a military PLANE to Kisumu wearing SHADES. Country LOVED it. But remember this from the Arap Moi COOKBOOK of POLITICS: The Presidency is a JEALOUS institution,” Mutahi Ngunyi tweeted.
Dear Riggy G. First LAW of POWER: Never OUTSHINE your MASTER. You did this on Inauguration Day. And today you FLEW in a military PLANE to Kisumu wearing SHADES. Country LOVED it. But remember this from the Arap Moi COOKBOOK of POLITICS: The Presidency is a JEALOUS institution.
— Mutahi Ngunyi (@MutahiNgunyi) September 23, 2022
Gachagua made headlines after he took a swipe at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta during his inaugural speech as the Deputy President at Kasarani stadium.
The Deputy President criticized Uhuru’s government for harassing them over the last five years and assured Kenyans that the current administration would be open to criticism.
Gachagua declared that the nation was free and pledged to lead without pursuing opponents and critics.
“I want to give a word on behalf of our President, that you are free to criticise his government without fear of reprisal,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua criticised the retired President even as Ruto showered his former boss with praise and assigned Uhuru a new job just after taking the oath of office.
Gachagua in Kisumu
The Deputy President on Friday, September 23, 2022, flew to Kisumu city for the 94th Kenya Music Festival at Kisumu Girls High School.
Gachagua and his entourage flew to the lakeside city aboard a Kenya Air Force jet. The group took to social media to show off their VIP flight to Kisumu.
Privileged to accompany the deputy president H.E @rigathi to kisumu for the annual music festival winners concert. Talent development is boldly enshrined in the Kenya kwanza manifesto . pic.twitter.com/DpX4yozCUh
— Cleo Malalah (@Cleophasmalala) September 23, 2022
During President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime, the plane was used almost entirely to ferry the Head of State. The fact that Gachagua used the military plane raised eyebrows. And that’s why Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi warned that the DP is outshining his boss.
Ruto too while he was new to his role as the Deputy President ‘outshined’ his former boss Uhuru and that’s why some people believe was one of the reasons why the retired Commander-in-Chief sidelined his deputy during his second term in office.
Robert Greene, in his book ‘The 48 Laws of Power’, notes that the number one rule is to never outshine the master.
“Always make those above you feel comfortably superior. In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear or insecurity,” Robert Greene writes.
