- The DP insisted that his differences with Raila have only been political, terming the ODM boss a statesman.
- Gachagua on Wednesday morning held a meeting with over 10 senators from the Mt Kenya region.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the week joined his boss William Ruto on his significant tour of the Luo Nyanza region, receiving a rare embrace from hitherto rivals.
This week’s trip to the region was Gachagua’s most politically significant trip with Ruto in the recent past after months of a fallout with his boss.
During the trip, Gachagua came face to face with Ruto’s changing fortunes in the former opposition stronghold of Luo Nyanza, highlighting what awaits him in case of a divorce from the president.
There has been talk that Ruto could cobble up an alliance with ODM leader Raila Odinga to bolster his 2027 re-election chances and possibly dwarf Gachagua’s ambitions.
There is fear within Gachagua’s camp that the recent rapprochement could morph into a 2027 political deal between Ruto and Raila, the DP has remained a constant figure in the President’s countrywide tours.
Raila's AUC bid launch
The DP's consequential week started with the major State House event on Tuesday in which President Ruto unveiled Raila as Kenya’s sole candidate for the African Union Commission Chairperson job.
During the event attended by at least four heads of state from the Eastern Africa region, Gachagua revealed that he has had nothing personal with Raila as he set the tone ahead of the Nyanza tour.
"Somebody may ask, Why is Rigathi Gachagua, who has before had issues with the leadership of Raila... As a truthful man, I had nothing against him; it's only that we were competing for the same position between him and my boss," Gachagua said.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that Kenya is presenting Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission chairmanship because the continent deserves the best
The DP insisted that his differences with Raila have only been political, terming the ODM boss a statesman with an impeccable track record as he eyes the AUC job.
"Honourable Raila, as a man who listens to the ground, let me confirm to you, that all Kenyans across the political divide, and communities are in support of your candidature, and we wish you well."
A day after the government threw a red carpet for Raila, a man that his critics have previously taunted and torn into pieces, Gachagua took the frontline in showering the ODM boss with praise.
“We have come here because of development, it is every Kenyan’s right to get development,’’ the DP said in a change of tune from his shareholding mantra.
A united country will maximise its potential
From Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisumu counties, the DP kept his speeches short and precise, leaving the president to articulate development projects as crowds cheered on.
“A united country will maximise its potential in its endeavour for higher socio-economic growth for the good of our people,’’ Gachagua posted on his X account.
The DP had in the past insisted that the Kenya Kwanza government was like a shareholding company where the majority shareholders get their way when it comes to state jobs and development.
Raila had previously lashed out at Gachagua, accusing him of championing tribalism instead of uniting Kenyans as a national leader.
Reforms in the agriculture sector
On Monday, Gachagua held a meeting with some Cabinet Secretaries and called for speedy implementation of reforms in the agriculture sector.
He urged tea, coffee, and dairy agencies in the ministries of agriculture and cooperatives to ensure the reforms are centred on farmers and focused on increasing income.
Gachagua assured CSs Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Andrew Karanja (Agriculture) of his support and commitment.
"Food security is one of the pillars of Kenya Kwanza, and I encourage you to help the government achieve it. Let us build a strong economy for a stronger country. If the two ministries work together, the situation will change," Gachagua said.
"We have the responsibility to support the CSs to succeed in their work."
Gachagua asked counties to consider removing cess fees for the movement of agricultural products to ease the cost of living and put money in farmers' pockets.
The DP said this on Monday when he chaired the 24th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting in Nairobi.
The forum is a link between counties and the national government.
''We should not normalise a vegetable farmer in Meru, for instance, paying six cess fees to Meru, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado to take his produce to Kitengela,'' he said.
Meeting with over 10 senators
Gachagua on Wednesday morning held a meeting with more than 10 senators from the Mt Kenya region.
According to Gachagua, the meeting was to audit the success of the devolved units in their respective counties.
"I had a fruitful engagement with senators from eleven counties to audit the success of devolution in their respective counties," he said.
The Deputy President insisted that engagement with leaders will help in the development of the people they represent.
He said the meeting is a good way to get feedback on what the people are saying about their leaders.
"Continuous engagement with elected leaders is a catalyst to development for our people. It is also the best forum for feedback on what our employers think and feel about our leadership."
The senators include Kathuri Murungi (Meru), Joe Nyutu (Murang'a), Mwenda Gataya (Thara Nithi), Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu), Alexander Mundigi (Embu), and Methu Muhia (Nyandarua).
Others were Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), Tabitha Karanja (Nakuru), Joseph Kamau Githuku (Lamu), John Kinyua (Laikipia) and nominated senator Veronica Maina.
The meeting is part of Gachagua's efforts to consolidate the Mount Kenya region amid fears of widening cracks linked to succession politics.