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DP Gachagua sees off Ruto to the US amid fallout reports

Ruto left on Sunday for a four-day state visit to the United States of America.

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by BRIAN ORUTA

News20 May 2024 - 05:15
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In Summary


  • Reports of a strained relationship between the two came to light after the second-in-command missed at least 11 official functions.
  • Reports claimed the DP could also not be reached through his phone numbers during the period.
President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Defence CS Aden Duale and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as they saw off the head of state for a four-day state visit in the United States on May 19, 2024.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was among a group of senior state officials who saw off President William Ruto Sunday night for his state visit to the United States of America.

This came amidst speculations of a strained relationship between them.

Reports of a strained relationship between the two came to light after the second-in-command missed at least 11 official functions.

Reports claimed the DP could also not be reached through his phone numbers during the period.

On Sunday, however, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed dismissed the reports on the fallout.

“To the best of my knowledge, there is no issue between the President and his Deputy,” Hussein said.

“The Deputy President’s office is an office with all capabilities and competencies. If you want to ask any question or find out anything about the Deputy President, you can get it there.”

The absence of Gachagua from key state functions raised eyebrows among Kenyans as it was uncharacteristic of him.

Gachagua however made a public appearance Sunday when he attended a church service in Nyeri.

A section of UDA leaders had also denied reports of a tiff between the two senior leaders.

On Saturday, National Assembly Majority Whip, Sylvanus Osoro said Gachagua's absence from the political space was because he took time off work to rest.

"I’ve seen people raise issues with the absence of the Deputy President in the political scene.

"The Deputy President can also relax. He has been worked up for some time and has now taken a break for a week or so, let him relax,"  the South Mugirango MP said.

Gachagua while speaking at Sacred Heart Endarasha Catholic Church, Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County on Sunday urged the people of the Mount Kenya region to unite and shun divisive politics.

Though he did not directly address the alleged rift with Ruto, the DP asked leaders from the region to avoid being used to fight others.

He said that Mt Kenya risks losing a lot if they fail to unite and speak in one voice

"As the DP, I decided to speak less and work more for the last 10 months, as the spokesperson of the Kikuyu community, I'm ready to work for my people," Gachagua said.

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