In a major play for the Mt. Kenya votes, Deputy President William Ruto has settled on Mathira MP, Rigathi Gachagua, to be his running mate ahead of the August polls.
“Join me and other Kenya Kwanza team in welcoming and congratulating Rigathi Gachagua for ascending to the position of the running-mate for the Hustler Nation. Hon. Gachagua has the requisite drive, knowledge, and stamina to help us transform our country,” Ruto said in a Twitter message.
But in a rally attended by thousands of supporters at Kamkunji grounds in Nairobi, Azimio la Umoja Director of Elections Junet Mohammed dismissed Gachugua’s appointment.
“Kenya haiwezi kuongozwa na wezi wawili (Kenya cannot be led by two thieves),” Mohamed said, alluding to corruption allegations against Ruto and Gachagua.
The selection comes nearly two days after journalists waited at Ruto’s camp, causing speculation the DP was having trouble closing the deal.
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The tension led a section of Gachugua’s supporters to start chanting, “no Rigathi, no Ruto!”
Throughout Saturday, the whole Kenyan populace was glued to mainstream media and social media, waiting for the white smoke from Karen, Ruto’s official residence. Earlier, his team had signaled that the DP, who has branded himself as an organized person in matters of politics and otherwise, would name his running mate.
The announcement was scheduled for 10 am, but later, it was pushed to 1 pm and then between 2 pm and 3 pm. Speculation was the delay came because Tharaka Nithi Senator Kindiki Kithure and Gachagua disagreed on supporting each other.
“Join me and other Kenya Kwanza team in welcoming and congratulating Rigathi Gachagua for ascending to the position of the running-mate for the Hustler Nation. Hon. Gachagua has the requisite drive, knowledge, and stamina to help us transform our country,” Deputy President William Ruto.
According to media reports, Ruto faced a standoff in Karen as most Mt. Kenya leaders in the meeting favored Kindiki over Gachagua.
The standoff led Hussein Mohammed, Ruto’s campaign communication director, to address the press at 1 am, and promised to announce Ruto’s choice later in the day.
The wait caused tension among Kenya Kwanza supporters. Ruto emerged at around 12.30, accompanied by his key allies in the campaign team, to address the press and the nation.
Kithure skipped the meeting, heightening speculation of a fallout.
The DP lauded all the others shortlisted for the number two position in the Kenya Kwanza alliance. They included Kandara Constituency MP Alice Wahome; Kiharu Constituency MP Ndindi Nyoro; Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru; National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi; and the Tharaka Nithi Senator, Kithure Kindiki.
Kindiki, a law scholar and lawyer of international repute, was born on 16 July 1972. He represented Ruto in the International Criminal Court following the 2007/8 Post-election violence.
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The 49-year-old lawyer was a front runner for the position. Media reports state that on Saturday, Ruto lieutenants, in a closed-door meeting in Ruto’s Karen office, voted for the former Senate Majority leader and deputy speaker.
However, things went haywire for Kithure when Gachagua insisted that it had to be him, thanks to his loyalty to the DP and his investment in the campaigns. Perhaps what put Gachagua ahead of Kindiki is his Mount Kenya voter base. The MP comes from Mathira, Nyeri County, home to former President Mwai Kibaki.
Critics have painted Gachagua as a corrupt and bullish man who worked shoulder to shoulder with the late President Daniel Moi, almost the second President’s right-hand man and confidant.
Gachagua faces multiple corruption cases in court, including one where he is accused of defrauding the government Ksh 7.5 billion. Ruto’s campaign has accused the government of abusing its powers to harass and blackmail members of the coalition.
But Ruto himself is also a subject of multiple corruption accusations. Ruto has denied all accusations against him.
Those who favor him say that he fits to be a deputy president should William Ruto win the presidency. Gachagua is an abrasive leader, they say, who can significantly support Ruto, who is also a pretty bullish and combative man.
“Gachagua is my friend whom I have worked with, especially on that Bottom-Up Economic model, and we started that journey together. He understands people’s issues. He is passionate about ordinary people,” Ruto said on Sunday.
WHO IS RIGATHI GACHAGUA?
Gachagua is a teacher by profession, he was elected to parliament in the 2017 general elections to represent Mathira Constituency. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science and Literature from the University of Nairobi.
The 70-year-old was the personal assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta when he was the Minister for Local Government between 2001 and 2006. They parted ways when Kenyatta became President. Now Gachagua is one of the president’s harshest critic in Central Kenya.
Between 1995 and 1999, Gachagua served as the District Officer (DO) in Kakamega and Laikipia.
The MP also served as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage between 1989 and 1990.
The man from Mathira is also a trained paramilitary officer. He underwent training in 1990 at the Administration Police Institute.
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Ruto said that in his next government, the relationship between him and the Deputy President would be a good one, with the doors of the DP clearly outlined for a smooth flow and coordination of the government.
I believe the office of the Deputy President (which I have held for the last almost ten years) can serve the people of Kenya better. On my first day in office, I will sign an executive order to give clear responsibilities to the DP,” Ruto said.
Ruto and President Kenyatta lost love and coordination in their second term in office, accusing him of sabotaging his government plan. Ruto has focused on the 2022 elections almost as soon as the Jubilee administration was re-elected in 2017. Kenyatta, in 2018, struck a friendship with Raila Odinga, his former archrival. In 2019, the President issued a presidential executive order, which gave CS Fred Matiang’i power to oversee the implementation of the government projects, a role that was presumably Ruto’s.
Gachagua, in his speech, said that he wouldn’t betray William Ruto if they were elected.
“Thank you, your excellency. I will not let you down, I will not let the Hustler Nation down, and I will not let Kenyans down,” Gachagua said.
The focus now shifts to the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance. The coalition held interviews for candidates interested in being Odinga’s Deputy.
They included former Gatanga Constituency MP Peter Kenneth; Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho; Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya; Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua; Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Murang’a County Women Representative Sabina Chege among others.
Odinga is holding a major rally on Monday at Nairobi’s Kamkunji grounds, where he’s expected to officially name his running mate in front of thousands of his supporters.