- The DP said he will continue to push for the unity of Mount Kenya region just like other communities.
- Gachagua said the ODM party cannot displace me from the government I fought for.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has affirmed that his place within the Kenya Kwanza government is secure despite his boss William Ruto bringing on board ODM bigwigs.
President Ruto appointed five ODM politicians as part of his broad-based government to stabilise the country after weeks of protest by youths.
They include John Mbadi(National Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi(Energy and Petroleum), Hassan Joho(Blue Economy and Mining), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and Beatrice Askul of East African Community.
There have been fears that the President's decision to appoint ODM linchpins could birth a political machine between Ruto and Azimio boss Raila Odinga ahead of 2027 at the expense of Gachagua.
Gachagua said he was instrumental in the formation of the Kenya Kwanza government and therefore there should be no fears that he might be displaced from the centre of power.
Speaking during the burial ceremony of former Nacada Chief Executive Officer Victor Okioma in Kitale on Friday, the DP said he has no problem with ODM joining the government.
"Hii serikali mimi ndo mwenyewe na niko ndani, hata kukija kabila gani, mimi ni chuma ya zamani niko ndani (This is my government and I am part of it, no matter what tribe joins it, I am the oldest in it," Gachagua said.
The DP emphasised that the partnership between President Ruto and ODM does not mean that his influence in the government will be whittled down.
"I am right inside this government, I fought for it and there is no way I can move even an inch," Gachagua said during Okioma's funeral.
"There is no way I can move even an inch, those the president has brought on board from ODM we welcome them and let us work together, the coming in of new people cannot displace the ones who are there."
At the same time, Gachagua wondered why critics kept attacking him as a tribalist whenever he talked about the unity of his Mt Kenya region.
He said there is no problem when communities unite as that will ensure a united and cohesive country.
"I want people to unite across the country and we will continue to unite our people and that is what all regions do because you must sit together and see what you can do," he said.