DP Rigathi Gachagua: Ruto and I joined at the Hip

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made it clear yesterday that he and President William Ruto are inseparable, dismissing any rumours of a potential divide.

Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa had expressed concerns about the possibility of separation between the two leaders. Warning against allowing intruders, she emphasised the women of Kenya would not accept division. The chairperson of the United Democratic Alliance Cecily Mbarire echoed these sentiments. In response to these fears, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua offered reassurances that no split would befall his ties with President William Ruto. He stated that there is nothing to be worried about, adding that the government under Ruto’s capable leadership, remains unified, secure, and solid.

Speaking during the UDA National Women Congress at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, Deputy President Gachagua dismissed notions of division and unrest as mere myths coming from individuals who are still in denial. This event marked the first conference of its kind since the General Election on August 9, 2022. Deputy President Gachagua affirmed that there is no problem to be imagined, as he and President Ruto are joined at the hip, sharing an ideology centred around the bottom-up economic transformational agenda for the people of Kenya.

“They want to imagine a problem. There will be none. The President and I are joined at the hip. And the President and I share an ideology – the bottom-up economic transformational agenda for the people of this country. We have been friends for more than 20 years. Our friendship surpasses the presidency,” Mr Gachagua said

He mentioned that their friendship of more than 20 years sustains an unbreakable bond that transcends political boundaries. There are recent concerns among political analysts that he might be isolated amid the potential unity at the National Dialogue Committee. Criticizing the committee consistently is a stance made clear by the Deputy President. At the recently-held congress, which involved speeches focusing on the forthcoming UDA elections, a total of seven resolutions were agreed upon.

An allocation of automatic delegate status to the chairperson and vice-chairperson at the National Delegates Congress was among these resolutions while the polls were also pushed to January from their original date in December to take cognizance of women’s involvement in holiday activities. Secretary-General Cleophas Malala pointed out that the online platform has so far attracted the interest of 86,716 people for party positions. Moreover, the congress received news that the government would launch a distribution network of sanitary towels to schools set to start next year in January.