- During the week, Gachagua continued to assert his place in the Kenya Kwanza administration, warning his critics against imagining that he would walk out.
- The DP appeared to borrow from President Ruto’s political rule book when he blamed his former boss Uhuru Kenyatta for persecuting him.
Image: DPPS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua insisted that he will not be displaced from the Kenya Kwanza government saying although ODM linchpins are welcome, they will not occupy his place.
There have been jitters in Gachagua’s camp that President William Ruto’s decision to work with Raila Odinga’s ODM party is part of the 2027 strategy to defeat his presidential ambitions.
Some of President Ruto’s allies have openly claimed that Gachagua is not indispensable in the 2027 reelection game plan despite playing a key role in the Kenya Kwanza victory in the 2022 polls.
During the week, Gachagua continued to assert his place in the Kenya Kwanza administration, warning his critics against imagining that he would walk out of the government in protest.
“President William Ruto in his wisdom saw it fit to bring other people so that we work together and I said 'yes bring them so that we work together', but what we have said is nobody should displace anybody," Gcahagua said.
“I will not leave my sea for anybody."
The DP appeared to borrow from President Ruto’s political rule book when he blamed his former boss Uhuru Kenyatta for persecuting him despite standing with him in 2013 and 2017.
Speaking in Ruto’s Nandi backyard during a burial, Gachagua said he stood with Ruto when he faced a groundswell of challenges ahead of the 2022 polls.
He regretted that some politicians were quick to plunge into politics of betrayal without appreciating ties of long-term friendship.
“Some people value politics as a very important issue and forget about friendship. When President Ruto faced a lot of difficulties and problems, most of his friends ran away, but I Gachagua, stood with him until he occupied State House," Gachagua said.
“That is the kind of person I'm, I have not changed, we are truthful men, there are many people who promise friendship and there are those who practice friendship; we are those with a proven record of unwavering friendship.”
Gachagua said that like the Nandi community who bravely rejected oppression, the people of Mt Kenya will say no to oppression.
“Politics keep changing, yesterday’s friend will be tomorrow’s enemy and today’s enemy will be tomorrow’s friend. Let us do justice to those who have stood with us," he said.
At the same time, Gachagua hit back at politicians within Kenya Kwanza whom he accused of unbridled arrogance and display of opulence while Kenyans are suffering.
“If you have eaten and your stomach is full, do not vomit on Kenyans. Let us be humble because, the President, I and this government are products of prayer," Gachagua said on Wednesday.
Gachagua insisted that Kenyans will punish leaders who disrespect them just because they are poor.
“Let us not forget where the Lord has brought us, let us remain humble to God and to Kenyans and do justice to the people," he said.
Meanwhile, Gachagua's Mt Kenya unity push ran into headwinds during the week.
Elected leaders from the Mt Kenya East region endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, as their leader.
In a press conference on Monday, the leaders drawn from Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties said they unanimously endorsed Kindiki as the link between them and the Executive.
"As the legislators of Mt Kenya East, and on behalf of our people, we have unanimously agreed that the link between us and the Executive is Prof Kithure Kindiki," they said in a statement read by Mbeere MP, Geoffrey Ruku.
The leaders reached the resolution during a parliamentary group meeting held at a hotel in Embu.
They had met to chart the way forward for the socio-economic development and political agenda of their region as a bloc.
"We acknowledge the need for a strong linkage with the Executive to fast-track our region's priorities. Through collaboration and constant dialogue, we are confident that Mt Kenya East will progressively secure a stronger recognition in the national agenda," the leaders said.
Gachagua has previously accused people he has termed as being close to President Ruto of displaying arrogance.
The DP has in the past pointed a finger at some politicians saying they have been disrespecting him.
Gachagua also asked politicians to stop interfering with key sectors like tea, which could hamper higher income for thousands of farmers.
The DP said unnecessary politics had seen some leaders drag politics into the sale of tea at the Mombasa Auction, resulting in a pileup of tea stocks from Nandi, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira, and Kakamega counties at warehouses in Mombasa.
Gachagua said it's wrong to politicise everything at a time when Kenyans are waiting for the government to provide solutions to the current economic hardships.
“Stop politicking and let us work for Kenyans. We don’t need to politick every day, yet elections are still far away. Let us allow the President, the Deputy President and those given responsibilities to work,” the DP said.
Gachagua also held a meeting with the multisectoral team on technical education, saying the government will link the Jua Kali sector with formal employment opportunities and business financing.
He announced the initiative as part of a broader effort to uplift and formalise the sector which he said plays a major role in Kenya's economy.
The government's new framework is built upon the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (RPLP), launched in March, 2023.
This policy aims to validate the skills and expertise of Jua Kali artisans through a structured certification process.
“This initiative will not only provide better pay and job security for artisans but also help them transition into the formal economy,” Gachagua said.
“The government plans to enhance participation in major national projects, including the Affordable Housing Programme and market construction projects."