National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro has responded to Kenyans who have been asking for the whereabouts of Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking on Saturday, May 18, Osoro said Gachagua took time off work to rest hence his absence from the political space.
“I’ve seen people raise issues with the absence of the Deputy President in the political scene. The Deputy President can also relax. He has been worked up for some time and has now taken a break for a week or so, let him relax,” Osoro explained.
The South Mugirango MP further announced that the DP will be in Nyeri on Sunday, May 19 and will address any questions raised by the media.
“I hear tomorrow he will be in Nyeri; he will speak for himself. For now, it has been very tough on him,” he said.
Osoro explained that leaders must shun the politics of blackmail, personality discussion, and focus on development.
“The most important thing for us in the political space, we must shun blackmail for us to survive. It’s important for us to stop personality discussion and focus on development,” he added.
Gachagua Missing in Action
Gachagua has been missing in notable government events for several weeks now leading to questions on mainstream and social media.
The DP has missed 11 state functions in the past week including when President William Ruto received his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni who was on a state visit.
However, his office has given no details of his whereabouts.
Reports indicated that Gachagua’s personal mobile phone has also been switched off for some time.
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Speculations intensified when Azimio leader Raila Odinga and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen saw off Museveni on May 17 in the absence of president Ruto who travelled to Rwanda.
Upon his arrival back to Kenya, Ruto was again received by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Defence CS Aden Duale and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki.
Gachagua was notably absent from a meeting at State House on Tuesday, May 14, when President Ruto convened with Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) chairpersons and directors.
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During the meeting, they agreed to operationalize the Tea Tribunal to handle disputes between stakeholders.
Reforms in the tea, milk, and coffee sectors are key initiatives for the Deputy President, having been tasked with these responsibilities by President Ruto.
Gachagua’s absence came a few days after he supported the ‘one man one vote one shilling’ which attracted criticism from a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders.
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