Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua took on each other yesterday during the deputy presidential debate with the issues of integrity and principles taking the centre stage of the debate.
Karua and Gachagua had their past come under scrutiny as they traded barbs over their track records in public service.
On the relationship a president and their deputy should have, the Azimio One Kenya deputy presidential running mate, maintained the need to be submissive while Gachagua said there was space for a “strong” deputy president.
“At no time will Ruto ever punish or mistreat me because he has no reason to. I will support him to be president and he will reciprocate. We are both in agreement that we have no time to disagree in regards to the situation of the country,” he stated.
On her part, Karua said that she will be a deputy who is respectful of the Constitution, the people of Kenya, and his principal.
“My role would be complimentary to help my captain stick to the rule of law,” she said.
Gachagua was eager to highlight Ruto against Uhuru, as part of a campaign strategy to portray Raila Odinga as a “State project” that will be a puppet of the retiring President.
“It is true my principal and I are projects, but projects of the people. My principal consulted the people and I appeared in a panel to be interviewed for the role, not like Rigathi who was handpicked,” Karua said.
Karua, on the other hand, stated that the case against Gachagua concerned money obtained from the county governments of Kwale, Nyeri, and Bungoma – but that it was up to her opponent to defend his name
The Azimio running mate urged public officers to declare their wealth publicly, stating that she was worth Sh150 million.
Gachagua answered by saying he was worth sh800 million, including the Sh200 million frozen by the government.
“I am not land-hungry and I am not materialistic. Those who are hungry may never understand that,” she stated.