Why Tight Political Connections with Ruto Has Further Alienated Charles Nyachae From Joining Popular Matiang’i Side in Kisii Politics

Former East African Court of Justice judge Charles Nyachae finds himself in an increasingly precarious political position as his close ties with President William Ruto have effectively barred him from joining the popular Fred Matiang’i wave sweeping across Kisii County, potentially making him a political pariah in his own backyard.

The 67-year-old lawyer, who once seemed destined for high office, now faces a stark choice: maintain his loyalty to Ruto and risk complete isolation from his Kisii community, or abandon his State House connections and seek reconciliation with the increasingly popular former Interior Cabinet Secretary.

The Weston Hotel Deal That Sealed His Fate

Nyachae’s troubles began crystallizing when his law firm, Nyachae and Ashitiva Advocates, played a crucial role in resolving the controversial Weston Hotel land dispute in favor of President Ruto. The deal, executed at the height of the Gen-Z protests in June 2024, saw Nyachae’s firm successfully register a court consent that regularized the title of the disputed 1.9-acre prime Langata land to Weston Hotel Limited.

The transaction, worth millions of shillings, involved the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) agreeing to compensation rather than pursuing land reclamation. Court records reveal that KCAA had initially maintained that the land transfer to Weston was fraudulent, as the hotel had failed to obtain the commissioner’s prior written consent for the sale.

However, after Gilbert Kibe left KCAA and was succeeded by Emile Arao, the authority’s stance softened dramatically. KCAA dropped its original legal team of Rachier and Amollo Advocates and appointed Nyachae’s firm as its new representative. The newly instructed lawyers then withdrew the petition against the Ruto-linked hotel and crafted the settlement deal.

The IEBC Betrayal That Backfired

DP WIlliam Ruto makes the collars of East Africa court of justice Judge Charles Nyachae at his Karen residence office in Nairobi on October 14, 2020.

Political sources indicate that Nyachae’s shortlisting for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson position was viewed as Ruto’s token of appreciation for his role in the Weston Hotel matter.

According to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Nyachae emerged as the top candidate during the interviews, with the selection panel recommending both him and Erastus Edung Ethekon to the president.

However, in what many interpret as a calculated political slight, Ruto bypassed Nyachae and appointed Ethekon instead. Gachagua has claimed this rejection stemmed from a long-standing feud between Ruto and the Kisii community, dating back to a violent confrontation between the president and the late political veteran Simeon Nyachae during the 2007 general election.

“The president does not wish well for the Kisii community,” Gachagua stated in an interview with Egesa FM.

“He is still angry at the Kisii community because in 2007, the late Nyachae beat him up in South Mugirango and so he harbours anger with this community.”

Matiang’i’s Rising Star Casts Long Shadow

The political dynamics in Kisii have been dramatically altered by Fred Matiang’i’s return to active politics and his declaration of presidential ambitions for 2027.

The former Cabinet Secretary’s homecoming in May 2025 was marked by massive crowds and enthusiastic support, signaling his emergence as the undisputed leader of the Abagusii community.

Matiang’i’s popularity has been further boosted by his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza government’s exclusion of the Kisii community from key appointments.

“We have been despised when it comes to government appointments,” he declared during a public rally, resonating with local sentiments about marginalization.

The former CS has also positioned himself as a champion of good governance and anti-corruption, directly contrasting with the controversies surrounding figures like Nyachae who have been associated with questionable land deals.

The Community’s Verdict

Local political observers note that Nyachae’s association with the Weston Hotel deal has particularly damaged his standing within the Kisii community. The transaction, conducted during public protests against government corruption and impunity, has been interpreted as emblematic of the very issues the community opposes.

“Charles Nyachae has been listed among Gusii community political betrayers said to be against Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid,” political analysts observe.

This categorization alongside controversial MPs like Silvanus Osoro and Alpha Miruka has further isolated him from mainstream Kisii politics.

The situation is compounded by the fact that most of the Nyachae family, including other prominent members, are believed to support Matiang’i’s political ambitions, leaving Charles as an outlier within his own clan.

The Impossible Choice

Nyachae now faces what political commentators describe as an impossible choice. Maintaining his loyalty to Ruto offers little immediate benefit, as demonstrated by his IEBC snub, while potentially making him a permanent outcast in Kisii politics. The president’s apparent willingness to sacrifice Nyachae’s interests for broader political calculations suggests that their relationship is more transactional than genuinely supportive.

On the other hand, attempting to reconcile with the Kisii community and join the Matiang’i camp would require him to abandon his lucrative State House connections and potentially expose himself to scrutiny over his role in controversial deals like the Weston Hotel transfer.

Long-term Political Implications

The Nyachae situation reflects broader tensions within Kenya’s political landscape, where ethnic politics intersect with personal loyalties and business interests. His predicament serves as a cautionary tale for politicians who attempt to straddle multiple camps without considering the long-term consequences.

For the Kisii community, Nyachae’s isolation represents a consolidation around Matiang’i’s leadership, potentially strengthening the former CS’s position as he prepares for his 2027 presidential campaign. The community’s rejection of figures perceived as traitors or opportunists may signal a more disciplined political approach going forward.

The Verdict

As Matiang’i’s political star continues to rise and his 2027 presidential campaign gains momentum, Charles Nyachae’s position becomes increasingly untenable. His tight political connections with Ruto, rather than providing the expected benefits, have instead become a liability that may have permanently damaged his standing in Kisii politics.

The former judge’s story illustrates the complex calculations that Kenyan politicians must make when choosing between national patronage and ethnic loyalty. In Nyachae’s case, his bet on Ruto appears to have backfired spectacularly, leaving him politically homeless in his own backyard while the man he helped remains president, and the community he abandoned rallies behind his rival.

Unless dramatic changes occur in the political landscape, Nyachae’s path back to relevance in Kisii politics appears increasingly narrow, making his earlier choice to prioritize State House connections over community loyalty a potentially career-ending miscalculation.

This analysis is based on public records, court documents, and statements by political figures. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this publication.