Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has responded to the alleged feud between him and President William Ruto.
Speaking in Nyeri on Sunday, May 19, Gachagua said he is focused on development and not claims made on social media.
Gachagua, who spoke for the first time since May 12, stated that his politics has been more about delivering in his position as DP in the last ten months in office.
“There are a lot of things that have been said regarding politics, but I will say nothing. Reason being, Rigathi Gachagua, deputy president, is a man of few words. If you have followed my politics for the last ten months, I talk less and do more,” Gachagua said.
However, the DP asked Kenya Kwanza leaders to stop premature campaigns and give the elected leaders time to deliver on their manifesto.
He explained that voters will have time to re-elect leaders based on their development projects further urging the leaders to postpone campaigns until 2026.
“For now, let us bring down political temperatures and let those who have an opportunity to serve be allowed to serve the people. The public will have an opportunity to interrogate your work and decide whether to renew your contract or terminate it,” he said.
The DP further emphasized that the war against illicit brew will continue in the region and across the country. Gachagua said President Ruto is in support of the ongoing crackdown, which he mentioned will continue until they leave power.
“We must deal with this conclusively, and I want to thank the president because when I informed him about the problem in Kenya, especially in Mt Kenya, he agreed that we can’t allow our youth to go astray,” he said.
The Mountain Will Defend Gachagua-Governor Kahiga
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga warned leaders fighting the DP to stay away from his path and allow him to champion the development of the region.
Kahiga recalled the frustrations Ruto underwent during Jubilee’s second term, stating that Mt Kenya leaders won’t allow Gachagua to undergo the same treatment.
According to the governor, the region left former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp and followed Gachagua in the 2022 elections.
“We will not allow our son to go through what Ruto went through in the hands of Uhuru Kenyatta. He was not given this seat by anybody; he fought for it. Our votes are what made him the DP; he is not in the position by default,” Kahiga said.
“Any form of insult to Gachagua is an insult to the Mt Kenya region. Those trying to bring bad blood between the president and his deputy, we are warning you,” he said.
Also Read: State House Clarifies Ruto-Gachagua Relationship Amid Fallout Reports
DP’s Absence Attracts Attention
There have been speculations about the whereabouts of Gachagua after he missed notable government events for the past one week.
Gachagua missed 11 state functions during this period and his office gave no details about his absence.
Among the events included when President Ruto received his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni who was on a state visit.
This was followed by pictures of Azimio leader Raila Odinga and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen seeing of Museveni at JKIA something that should be done by Gachagua in the absence of the president.
The DP also missed out from the list of leaders who received Ruto at the airport on May 17 when he arrived from his short trip to Rwanda.
Also Read: Where is Gachagua? UDA MP Explains DP’s Silence
State House Clarifies Ruto-Gachagua Relationship
However, speaking on Sunday, May 19, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the relationship between President Ruto and the DP is intact.
During a press briefing on Ruto’s US trip, Mohamed said there are no issues between the two leaders.
He maintained that the president and his deputy are working in harmony and directed the media to consult Gachagua’s communication team for further communication.
“Now that you asked about the President and the deputy president, to my knowledge, there is no issue. The DP’s Office is an office with all the capabilities and competencies, “Mohamed said.
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