•President Ruto in his recent tour of Mt Kenya urged MPs and the impeachment plotters to go slow on his deputy.
•Ruto pledged projects including completion of the dual carriage from the airport snaking through the town.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday told off detractors whom he said are keen on creating a wedge between him and his boss President William Ruto.
He said he stood with Ruto when others were still weighing options on which political side to back in the 2022 presidential elections.
Speaking in Ruto's Eldoret backyard, the Deputy President said those after him should go slow on their attacks.
“Isn’t it me who stood with the President? Didn’t you see me help him in the campaign? If you see anyone who wants to come between us, please tell them off,” Gachagua said.
He urged residents to ignore the elements he accused of making his life difficult in government.
“When you see them here, tell them that the person you saw fighting alongside the President was Riggy G,” the DP said.
He urged residents to support Ruto, saying he is keen on ensuring the success of the Kenya Kwanza government.
Gachagua has been in the eye of a storm lately amid talks of a plan to hound him out of office through an impeachment.
A group of MPs were alleged to have met to plot his removal, accusing him of gross misconduct and gross violation of the constitution.
In interviews with vernacular stations in his backyard, the Deputy President sensationally alleged an assassination plot targeting him.
He claimed there was a crackdown targeting him and his allies mounted by various security agencies, citing the National Intelligence Service and the DCI as among those in play.
Recently, DCI officers seized phones belonging to two of Gachagua’s allies – Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru and his Embakasi North counterpart James Gakuya.
But a resilient Gachagua has maintained he is in the government to stay and urged Eldoret residents to join hands with them in the new concept of broad-based government.
“Don’t you think I should continue helping the President? Shouldn’t we continue working together to unite Kenyans? Thanks for your assurance,” he said.
Ruto in his recent tour of Mt Kenya urged MPs and the impeachment plotters to go slow on his deputy.
The President pledged more development for the region, citing among others plans for a stadium to be named after Eliud Kipchoge.
Ruto also pledged 5,000 housing units for residents of Railway Institute, in line with conferment of Eldoret to a city status.
The President also cited a special economic zone at Rivatex, saying it would boost export of goods, especially textiles.
Ruto also promised residents a dual carriageway from the airport snaking through the town will be built.
“I understand this city needs a good plan. We have agreed with the county to ensure this city is set up well to compete with others across the country,” he said.
Ruto urged Eldoret residents to shun violent protests as was witnessed recently during the Gen Z protests.