- When he returned to Mount Kenya this week, the DP had a message for the people of his backyard: “Respect your leader’’.
- On Thursday, Gachagua was in Mombasa County for a series of events including meeting with Kenya Tea Development Authority directors.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stormed his Mount Kenya backyard this week with echoes from his Luo Nyanza trip, calling on the region to unite and respect its leader.
Last week, the DP accompanied his boss William Ruto for a four-day tour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political heartland of Luo Nyanza.
Despite being Raila’s critic, Gachagua received a warm reception at all his stops, saying he had learnt that the region is united because residents respected Raila as its leader.
When he returned to Mount Kenya this week, the DP had a message for the people of his backyard: “Respect your leader’’.
"Please be like other communities. I have never heard people of Luo insulting Raila, not a single one. I haven't heard even one Kalenjin insulting William Ruto and I haven't heard even one Kamba insulting Kalonzo," Gachagua said.
The DP has been positioning himself as the region's defacto political shepherd following the retirement of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
However, Gachagua's efforts to consolidate Mount Kenya have often faced resistance from some politicians in the region.
Speaking in Mikumbune this week, Gachagua said he had been baffled that, unlike other communities in Kenya, a few from his region are allegedly paid to fight their leader.
The DP affirmed that the Mt Kenya region remains stronger when united and any attempts to cause division will only make the situation worse for them.
"In a population of 13 million, they are less than 10 just ignore. The people are good. Going forward, I want to assure you that as long as we are united as a region, we are in good space."
"Don't allow anybody to divide you along county lines. Our strength is our unity."
Gachagua also moved to defend former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, saying he performed exceedingly well in his docket before he was fired.
"Linturi is our great son and I want to say that as Deputy President, Linturi performed beyond expectations. He just got caught up in this reorganisation because of the political dynamics of the country, not because he failed to perform," Gachagua said.
"I worked with him and the President, and Linturi our son worked as he was expected to."
Linturi was among at least 11 CS who were dismissed from Ruto's first Cabinet on July 11, 2024, when he announced the dismissal of his entire Cabinet.
The Deputy President urged the former CS to remain optimistic the door for a worthy opportunity will soon be opened for him.
"I want to encourage you, there's always a God of a second chance na hakuna mlango Mungu anafunga bila kufungua ingine."
During the week, the DP urged government officials to fully implement presidential directives to prevent Ruto’s authority from being questioned on the progress of state directives.
Speaking on Monday at KICC during the launch of two information systems that will aid in tracking the implementation of presidential directives and foreign travel by officers, the DP said the dignity of the President should not be put into question.
“It is incumbent upon government officers led by CSs and PSs to make sure we dignify the person and office of the President by expeditiously implementing his directives,” Gachagua said.
The Presidential Directives Management Information System (PDMIS) and the Foreign Travel Information Management System (FOTIMS) are designed to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability in service delivery and decision-making.
“I am confident that by the end of the year, all the presidential directives so far issued will be audited, worked on, and implemented to the satisfaction of the people of Kenya," he said.
"All of us given the privilege to serve have a solemn duty to dignify his office by making sure the pronouncements he makes across the country are implemented without fail."
On Thursday, Gachagua was in Mombasa County for a series of events including a meeting with Kenya Tea Development Authority directors.
While in Mombasa, Gachagua said he was happy that he had met Mama Asha Sidi Chengo, a Mombasa woman he helped in April.
According to Gachagua, he was happy to see her business thriving and that her son had finally joined secondary school.
He referenced his act of kindness the the determination of the Kenya Kwanza administration to transform the lives of Kenyans.
"It was a pleasure catching up with Mama Asha Sidi Chengo, the small-scale food vendor, whom I met in April this year. I am happy that the business is thriving. Her son has finally joined Secondary School. We are committed to transforming our Nation," Gachagua said.
The DP also opened the Mombasa International Show on Thursday and visited the KTDA Tea Warehouse at Mengo & Miritini.
Gachagua asked the new KTDA directors to fast-track the implementation of tea subsector reforms to put more money into the pocket of the farmer.
Key among his asks was cutting down on the cost of production and expenses of running the factories for the farmer to earn more money.
“The tea farmer has suffered for far too long. They have broken their backs. You must feel for the farmer. You must set your targets. Let the farmer say they made the right decision electing you at the end of your tenure and they re-elect you,” the Deputy President said on Thursday.