Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sought to dispel concerns about a rift with President William Ruto by joining him on a development tour of Nyanza. Following his recent assurances to his Mount Kenya supporters about the region’s alignment with the government, Gachagua accompanied Ruto on a three-day tour of the Gusii region.
Gachagua has consistently supported Ruto since the president announced a broad-based government on July 24. Amid speculation of tensions between them, the Deputy President has aimed to solidify his role as second-in-command.
He previously suggested that the country’s spymaster, Noordon Haji, misinformed the president about the sponsors of the recent protests, which he claimed were sparked by the government’s disregard for public concerns.
Gachagua also accused some individuals close to Ruto of using the protests to undermine him and target his allies. Despite these allegations, he has worked in recent weeks to reassure the public and government officials of his continued loyalty to Ruto. On Tuesday, he urged the newly appointed Cabinet members to remain committed to President Ruto while addressing the needs and aspirations of Kenyans.
“Loyalty to the Head of State and Government is not negotiable. You are now soldiers in an army that has only one General,” he said.
“You are now also bound by collective responsibility, and no matter your personal views on a matter, once it is directed by the President or resolved in Cabinet, your duty is to jealousy, fiercely, and firmly defend it.”
In one of the toughest talks to newly appointed CSs, the DP said Kenyans must learn to live with each other as the broad-based government will unite all people irrespective of political affiliations.
“When I look and find Hassan Joho, Wandayi, and Mbadi in the same Cabinet with me, I appreciate that Kenya is great and we must all learn to live with each other,” Gachagua said.
Under President Ruto’s broad-based government, five members from opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ODM party have been appointed to the Cabinet. The appointees are:
– Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy)
– Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum)
– John Mbadi (National Treasury)
– Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives)
– Beatrice Askul (East African Community)
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s strong support for this inclusive approach is viewed as an effort to counter any claims of his opposition to incorporating opposition figures into the government. This follows Gachagua’s earlier comments suggesting that Ruto would bear responsibility for any issues arising from the inclusion of ODM officials.
Concerns arose that adding Raila’s allies could exacerbate the alleged rift between Ruto and Gachagua. However, during Ruto’s recent tour of the Gusii region, Kisii Governor Simba Arati reassured Gachagua of ODM’s commitment to working with the government, even if Gachagua were to distance himself from Ruto. Speaking in Kisii on Tuesday, Arati, who accompanied Ruto to the groundbreaking of the Kisii Cancer Centre, urged Gachagua to remain loyal to the President.
“Mheshimiwa Naibu wa Rais, Kaa pamoja na Rais. Lakini mkikoroga yeye ule upande mwingine sisi kama ODM tuko tayari kutembea na yeye,” Arati said.
This loosely translates to, “Mr Deputy President, Stay with the President. But if you give him problems on the other side, we as ODM are ready to walk with him.”
During the three-day tour of the Gusii region, the DP urged the region to unite and support the President, saying the formation of a broad-based government would spur development.
From Kisii, Gachagua flew to Eldoret where he joined the president in the reception of Kenyan athletes following their sterling performance in Paris, France.
On Thursday, the President also unveiled the City of Eldoret
During his speech, the Head of State reaffirmed that Eldoret had passed the criteria for an urban area to become a city.
“Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the head of state under section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I Kipchirchir William Samoei Ruto, president of Kenya and commander in chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces do hereby ordain, declare and direct that the municipality of Eldoret has been conferred with city status,” Ruto said.
