Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed how he almost fell out with President William Ruto for handing two Cabinet secretary positions to Ukambani region.
Speaking in Kitui on Saturday, Gachagua said he likes to say the truth and he told the president that they got few votes from the region, and it didn't deserve to have two people in cabinet.
He however, noted that Ruto said the people of Ukambani like him but it is their leaders who mislead them.
The President added that he will stick with them until they love him.
"Mimi karibu ni kosane na Rais wetu juu yenu. Anagawa serikali kwenu na kura hapa ni kidogo. Foreign affairs amepatia Mutua, amechukua Peninah amempatia. Nikamuuliza hawa watu umewapatia na hakuna kura. Akaniambia Wakamba wananipenda lakini viongozi wao ndio wanawapoteza. Nitakaa nao mpaka wanipende," the DP said.
This loosely translates to, "I almost fell out with our president. He shared the government with you yet the votes here were very little. He gave Mutua the Foreign affairs docket and also Peninah. I told him these people you have appointed CSs don't have votes. He (Ruto) told me Ukambani people like him but their leaders mislead them and he will stick with them until they love him."
In President Ruto's 22-member Cabinet, former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua was picked for the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs docket, while Peninah Malonza, formerly deputy governor of Kitui was handed the Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage docket. They both come from Ukambani.
During his address, Gachagua called on current Ukambani leaders to lead their people into government if Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has lost his way.
He added that they have tried to look for him but he keeps going back to Raila Odinga who he has unsuccessfully backed in three presidential elections.
"Wavinya, Malombe and the rest, if Stephen is lost with that man (Raila) you can bring the Ukambani people to the government."
Gachagua said they have no issue with Kalonzo and they even looked for him, asked that he works with us but he refused.
The DP added that the only issue at hand is that they don't understand him.
"Governor Wavinya Ndeti, we have no problem with Kalonzo, we are waiting for him. It is you who will decide what you want with him because we don't understand him.
"We looked for him, asked him to join us but he went back to Raila Odinga. Even the day he was ashamed being subjected to the running mate interview it is us who defended him. We don't know why he is confused," the DP said.