We were played: Gachagua, allies cry as fallout deepens

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his troops on Sunday asserted they were played into agreeing to work with President William Ruto in the 2022 elections.

The former DP and his allies told PCEA congregants in Laikipia it was regrettable they did not see the signs before committing to work with President Ruto.

The deposed DP said his suspicion started in the election of representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly – which was in the nascent days of Kenya Kwanza administration.

“As Jayne (Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara) said, I knew the President was mischievous during EALA voting. We went to State House and agreed on how to vote but our colleagues voted for other regions,” Gachagua said.

He added, “I asked the President how we could give five seats away to other regions without giving Mt Kenya even one…that is when I knew the President used us as a community to reach the Presidency.”

Gachagua implored upon his Mt Kenya backyard to reject the President at the ballot in 2027 saying the latter was not dependable, a call his allies echoed.

The former DP said the abandonment is evident in the deficit of development projects in the region, further discrediting President Ruto’s affordable housing plan.

“­That is why you see we don’t have any project here two years later. I made the mistake…I was the one who convinced you folks he was a good person,” Gachagua said.

The former DP asserted that he confronted the President about the Kenya Kwanza priorities, with an argument that housing was not a priority, but was rebuffed.

“I used to tell the President that we fulfill the promises we made to our people. He refused and insisted we build houses…Everyone can build his own house…the housing project should be left for the private sector,” he said.

Th e former DP and his allies cited several projects the President had pledged, among them roads, which are yet to start.

The government’s work is to provide services, water, electricity, sewerage and security to the citizenry, he added, saying he would lead the region ‘into a better government’.

“I will lead this region into government and one that respects them. We have the numbers, we just need to create unity and get the right friends and we have many of them.”

The DP said they were confident about defeating President Ruto in his second term bid, urging the locals to support the cause.

He also alleged that the government had chosen to look away as alcoholism ripped Mt Kenya youths apart.

“I fought alcoholism among our youth. But since they chased me, the alcohol menace is coming back. ­ ere are people keen on making our young people to be spoiled…I refused.”

For Gachagua, the President has reneged on his promises to Kenyans and was replaying the once-dreaded Kanu-era script and current happenings have exposed the President.

“For the plans he had, God has seen us and has made us know him early. If he hid until 2027, we would have had more problems…we are happy he couldn’t hide for long,” the former DP said.

He maintained that MPs who are not toeing his line would be sent home by the electorate, arguing that most lawmakers were focusing on their selfish agendas and were ‘yes’ men.

“Our problem is the quality of Senators and National Assembly members we elected. Raila is in every government because his MPs follow what he says…but ours are after their stomachs. We have started an operation to sweep them away,” he said. ­

This was even as his troops claimed that the head of state used them as a stepping stone.