Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has affirmed his resolve to stay in the Kenya Kwanza government amid claims of plans to impeach him.
Gachagua said together with President William Ruto, they entered into a five-year contract with Kenyans when they were elected in 2022.
He said the Mt Kenya region is firmly behind the President and asked political leaders to stop making remarks geared towards dividing residents.
“I have seen some people trying to start a debate that Mt Kenya people can’t leave the government. Is there need for such a debate? Isn’t this our government? Didn’t we wake up early to vote for it?” he asked.
"The day you voted for the President, did you see my face there and you voted for both of us? If I haven’t said anything, who is that purporting to speak?” he posed, adding that every homestead has a leader and that he’s the leader of the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua said once their contract is over, they will go back to Kenyans to have it renewed but that for now, the Kenya Kwanza government is theirs and they will both continue being part of it.
He said he would have complained if there were issues in the government, asking political leaders to focus on working for the people who voted for them.
“The work of the presidency is mine and Ruto’s, and we are the ones to give directions and if we have not said anything, let others shut up.”
Gachagua spoke on Saturday when addressing Kagumo residents in Kirinyaga where he had accompanied the President on a working tour.
He said when he was appointed as Ruto’s running mate, he went back to the region and told residents that he had faith in the President’s leadership.
“I told them I would take care of their interests and when the President told me he wanted to include others in the government, I said let them come. I haven’t seen any reason to complain so let those making noise do so in their Ahatsapp groups but when you speak in public, speak words that instill hope.
“Don’t bring politics of confusion. As a region, we are fully behind Ruto and as a Deputy President, I work well with him. Leaders should focus on the work they were elected to do. Let the President and his deputy play the lead as they should,” Gachagua said.
The duo is on a three-day visit of the Central region, days after four members of the opposition joined the Cabinet.
A group of MPs from the region are alleged to have met to plot Gachagua’s impeachment, accusing him of gross misconduct and gross violation of the constitution.
In a media interview with vernacular stations Sunday night at his Karen residence, Gachagua confirmed having "heard rumors" about the impeachment plot, which he attributed it to his continued fight for avocado farmers and government positions for locals.
Gachagua said he would leave with his head held high if the ouster went through.
Already, a number of his allies have been questioned over alleged funding of the recent nationwide protests led by the Gen Z. They denied the claims.