The seeming political fallout between President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua continued to play out on Wednesday when the Head of State met Members of Parliament from his deputy’s Nyeri home turf in the absence of the second in command.
The meeting that brought together the lawmakers from Nyeri and the President was held at State House in Nairobi and painted the real picture of a deep simmering political standoff between the president and his deputy.
It was expected that due to the seniority of the Deputy President in the Nyeri region, his backyard, the meeting that had the objective of discussing development issues around the area would have at least involved him.
According to sources at State House, the meeting was held after an invitation from the President with a view to discuss development projects among other issues.
President William Ruto(right) shares a light moment with lawmakers from Nyeri at State House Nairobi on September 18, 2024.
PCS
‘’Met Nyeri MPs, State House Nairobi, and discussed the government’s road, stadia, fresh produce markets and water programmes in the county,’’ Ruto shared after the meeting.
During the meeting, Ruto announced that Othaya Hospital in Nyeri, which in the past had been an annex of Kenyatta National Hospital, would be elevated to the level of a parastatal.
The elevation meant that the hospital would have a full board of management with a budgetary allocation to conduct its operations.
‘’Othaya’s Mwai Kibaki Hospital, an annex of Kenyatta National Hospital, will be gazetted as a parastatal with a board and an independent budget. This elevation will ensure the health facility is fully equipped to enable it to play its rightful role in the provision of Universal Health Coverage that begins next month,’’ Ruto stated in a statement.
Gachagua’s position in the government has in the recent past been hounded by perceived political differences that have pitted him against his boss.
This came in the wake of an extensive tour by the Deputy President around the Mt Kenya region to rally support as the regional kingpin.
This is a move that has attracted criticism from lawmakers allied to President Ruto who have claimed that the Deputy President was out to try to invalidate his boss’ political influence in the region.
Gachagua allies have equally responded claiming that a scheme to undermine their ally and try to sideline him from the affairs of the government was in the works.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed wedding attendees in Juja.
Rigathi Gachagua
