The widening rift between president William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua seems to degenerate after Depiuty President took the battle to president’s backyard in Kesses in Rift Valley firing warning shots to Ruto’s point-men to stop meddling with Mount Kenya region.
Rigathi also called on lawmakers to focus on assisting president William Ruto deliver on his mandate instead of succession politics.
The Deputy President said it is wrong for elected members allied to the government to waste time moving from one county to another politicking instead of serving those that elected them and helping in implementation of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s agenda.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu over the weekend when he graced a fundraiser in aid of Kesses Empowerment Programme, the DP said political tourism is causing the lawmakers to lose focus.
“I urge the MPs to stay in their Constituency and serve their people. The habit of political tourism must stop. This is what is giving us trouble.” He said at the event held at Seiyo Secondary School in the constituency.
This comes even as a section of Kenya Kwanza politicians have vowed to ensure that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will serve for only one term just as he did when he was Mathira MP before President William Ruto picked him as his running mate in the 2022 general elections.
Deputy President Gachagua is facing growing hostility within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) despite his assertion that he is the senior-most leader within Mt Kenya region to thinly mean that he commands the vote-rich region to support president Ruto.
The resolve by allies of president Ruto opens a new battlefield in the two-year-old presidency which is already embroiled in a simmering fallout between Gachagua and Ruto amid reports that the two no longer see eye to eye though they project unity for cameras.
And the group that is largely oscillating around Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, claim that Gachagua’s outbursts are divisive and a threat to President Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
The DP also said his resolve to support the President is firm and will not be shaken.
“We said we will support the President fully. We support the President 100%. We will be behind the president because we have a 10-year debt. And we will pay the debt. We are working well with the president.” He added.
The Deputy President said the focus should only be on ensuring the President’s agenda is fully rolled out for the benefit of the people.
“As I lead as Deputy President together with Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, senators, MPs, our focus should only be to help the President succeed. Period. Everything else can wait. 2032 succession politics must stop.” He added.
The DP was accompanied by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Senators Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), John Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet), host MP Julius Rutto, David Lagat (Soy), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi), Paul Chebor (Rongai), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Francis Sigei (Sotik), Gladys Boss (Uasin Gishu Woman Rep), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Rep), Julius Melly (Tinderet), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Johanna Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr) among others.
The leaders said they will support the President and Deputy President to deliver the Government’s agenda as promised to the people.
“President Ruto and the Deputy President are one. We are behind them and no one will come between them.” Rongai MP Paul Chebor said.
“All of us from the South Rift to the North Rift, we are fully behind the President and Deputy President. We support you as you assist the President to serve Kenyans.” Sotik MP Francis Sigei noted.
“We know only one President, one Deputy President. We remain loyal to the President and the Deputy President.” Keiyo North MP Adams Kipsanai observed.
“The Kenya Kwanza government is united and strong. We have decided we have only one President and one Deputy President. We can’t work so hard for this government and then we start having issues. Many of our people suffered when we were fighting for this Government but the Deputy President led the people to fully support the President. We will stand with the DP all through.” Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ngeno noted.
“The Deputy President stood with us during tough times, he was arrested for standing and supporting the President. We will stand behind you and the President. Feel comfortable knowing we will not go behind your back.” Tinderet MP Julius Melly said.
“We will not allow anyone to come between the President and the Deputy President. We will be united behind all the two leaders.” Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma noted.
