Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has revealed the behind-the-scenes details regarding President William Ruto’s selection of Rigathi Gachagua as his deputy. In an interview with Hot 96, Kabogo shared that Ruto made the decision unilaterally, despite a majority preference for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential running mate.
“We were about 26 people in a room, and we conducted a vote. Twenty-one of us settled on Kindiki as Ruto’s running mate; only three chose Gachagua. Waiguru received one vote, and Muturi another. But Ruto decided by himself to pick Gachagua as his running mate,” Kabogo explained.
He further disclosed that after the vote in favor of Kindiki, Ruto took another 18 hours to assert that Gachagua was his preferred deputy. “Ruto asked me, ‘William, you’ve been governor, and you always wanted your own deputy. So I want to be president; why can’t I have my own deputy as well, my own choice?’ I replied, ‘Then why did you bring the matter to us to decide?’ He still managed to find a way around it and settled on Gachagua,” Kabogo added.
Regarding the ongoing impeachment process against Gachagua, Kabogo suggested it was time for Ruto to explain to Kenyans why he chose Gachagua and what led to their fallout to the point where he now wants him removed from office.
Kabogo also remarked that Gachagua has brought about his own downfall by playing the tribal card of ‘Watu wa Mlima’ against other Kenyans. Commenting on Gachagua’s recent apology, Kabogo stated, “His apology was not genuine as he tried to quantify it.” Gachagua had asked Ruto, MPs, and Kenyans to forgive him and his wife if he had wronged them in any way.
While Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment discussion, his allies are pushing for Gachagua’s removal from office. Gachagua faces accusations of misconduct and constitutional violations, including allegations of accumulating wealth through questionable means.
