Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has responded to reports that he is in the process of acquiring a new political party.
In a letter to the Editor-in-Chief of Nation Media Group (NMG) on May 29, Gachagua demanded an apology and retraction of the story which stated that he is engaging with officials of The New Democrats (TND) to take over the party’s leadership.
“The attention of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been drawn to an article published in the Daily Nation Newspaper and its digital platform, www.nation.africa, headlined: Gachagua seeks new party amid falling-out with Ruto and Ruto-Gachagua tiff: DP Gachagua in search of new political outfit, respectively, on May 29, 2024,” said the DP’s office.
The letter, signed by Njeri Rugene, Head of DP Communication Service, states that the story is false, one-sided, and aims at damaging Gachagua’s reputation.
Gachagua Reveals Nation’s Motive
The office claimed the story is intended to undermine Gachagua’s position as DP and as deputy leader of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“This one-sided, false, and concocted story is laced with innuendos and malice. To associate His Excellency the Deputy President with another political party, especially one with questionable associations, can only have been done in bad faith, with the sole intention of undermining His Excellency’s role as the Deputy Party Leader of the UDA Party,” read the letter in part.
“It is deliberately intended to disparage and attack the integrity of His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya.”
Journalistic Principles Not Followed
Additionally, the DP’s office criticized NMG, arguing that the story failed to follow the basic principles of professional journalism.
“The article also clearly violates the tenets of professional journalism that demand objectivity, balance, and fairness,” the letter added.
The letter demanded that NMG pull the story and issue an apology to Gachagua for the damage caused.
“In this regard, we demand a retraction of this fabricated article and an apology with the same prominence,” read another part of the letter.
The office also copied the CEO of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), David Omwoyo.
Also Read: UDA Asks Kuria & Murkomen to Resign Amid Ruto-Gachagua Fallout
Nation New Party Reports
In the article, the Nation newspaper mentioned that TND Secretary General David Musembi confirmed there were talks with the DP for a possible deal.
The newspaper further reported that Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga had warned that President William Ruto will lose Gachagua’s support should the intimidations continue.
Also Read: Oscar Sudi Fires Back at Malala, Exposing UDA Cracks
UDA Fallout
These reports come at a time when there are reports alleging a fallout between Gachagua and his boss.
Gachagua has publicly decried that a section of Rift Valley leaders close to the president are out to intimidate him in the Mt. Kenya region.
These statements were met with opposition from a section of the leaders led by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
The controversy also comes a few hours after UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala warned a section of the party members for disrespecting the party leadership, including the presidency.
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