Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday gave a detailed explanation on why he has been skipping President William Ruto’s events.
Speaking during a live interview, Gachagua claimed that Ruto’s aides had kicked him and his close allies from Ruto’s diary, a WhatsApp group, where President Ruto’s schedule is managed.
“Kenyans do not see me in any presidential function, it is because I am not aware of the function. The function they see me in is the one I have been invited to. Previously, I had access to President Ruto’s diary. It becomes very difficult for me to work on my diary because I do not know what the President has,” the Deputy President stated.
Gachagua claimed the main motive behind removing him from the WhatsApp group was to paint him in bad light to make it look like he is absconding his duties as the country’s second in command.
“I want to ask the people who work around the presidency not to create conflict between the President and I,” Gachagua stated.
President William Ruto with his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi.
William Ruto
The Deputy President proceeded to explain why he failed to attend a church service at AIPCA Central Western Archdiocese in Nyeri County on September 15.
Gachagua revealed that on the material day, there were two functions that Ruto was expected to attend — one in Kirinyaga and another in Nyeri. The Deputy President proceeded to Kirinyaga where he was supposed to receive Ruto.
“The function I attended was in a Catholic church & the mass takes 2 hours. By the time it was over, the President was already in Nyeri. I decided to remain in Kirinyaga & represent him,” he further stated.
Earlier in the day, Gachagua’s close ally, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, speaking during an interview on TV47 claimed that Ruto had hoodwinked Gachagua by failing to reveal a change in his itinerary.
Kahiga claimed he received a call from the Deputy President informing him that the two of them including the President would be visiting Nyeri, but they would first pass through Kirinyaga.
However, the President did not go to Kirinyaga and sped directly to Nyeri, leaving Gachagua waiting for him in Kirinyaga.
“Let me tell you, President Ruto is the cause for that empty seat,” the Governor said.
” I was called the night before, by the Deputy President, he told me they would be going with the President to Kirinyaga, and then come to Nyeri, so I was ready, only for me to see the President not go to Kirinyaga, but went to a church in Outering, in the morning.”
Governor Mutahi Kahiga at a fundraising ceremony Mary Immaculate school in Laikipia East, on June 8 2024.
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Mutahi Kahiga
