Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that he is unaware of any formal written agreement between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga regarding the formation of a broad-based government. In an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, Gachagua disclosed that he has no knowledge of a signed pact between the two leaders but has chosen to trust the President’s verbal assurance of national unity.
When asked by Citizen TV’s Sam Gituku if he had seen any official documentation of a deal between Ruto and Odinga, Gachagua candidly replied, “No. I trust the President. The President gave me his word, and I was happy. If there was any written agreement, I am not aware of it. I took his word that we need to bring these people so that we work together and make our country move forward.”
The Deputy President’s comments come amidst heightened speculation about a potential alliance between Ruto’s administration and the opposition, following efforts to unify the country under a broad-based government. This political alignment has stirred concerns among Gachagua’s allies, with some reportedly fearing that the pact could jeopardize his position within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Gachagua expressed concern over these developments, particularly rumors suggesting that Odinga’s ODM party could support efforts to impeach him. “I am told they’re saying that they didn’t have the numbers to remove me, but now that Raila has come on board, they can use his MPs to join and kick me out,” he stated, voicing the unease shared by some within the Mt. Kenya political faction he represents.
Despite these fears, Gachagua remains publicly supportive of the broad-based government initiative, emphasizing his hope that the deal is meant to foster unity and prosperity for the country. “I support the broad-based government and embrace the people that joined us. However, I am told they’re saying that they didn’t have the numbers to remove me but now that Raila has come on board, they can use his MPs to join and kick me out,” Gachagua reiterated.
The Deputy President’s openness about his reliance on trust in political dealings marks a notable aspect of his leadership style. He revealed that unlike other key political figures, he did not seek a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) when entering into an alliance with President Ruto. Gachagua contrasted his own situation with that of leaders such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, and other Kenya Kwanza principals, all of whom had MoUs outlining their terms of partnership with the President.
“So trusting am I and my people from Mt. Kenya that in the whole of this matrix, we’re the only people without a written agreement with Ruto. We just agreed as gentlemen,” Gachagua explained, noting that the Mt. Kenya region, which played a crucial role in Ruto’s electoral victory, relied solely on mutual trust rather than formal documents.
While Gachagua’s reliance on trust appears to have served him so far, he admitted that some of his supporters have expressed concern over the lack of formal agreements. “Many of our supporters from Mt. Kenya think there was an indiscretion on my part in the decision, but I think I did the right thing because trust is very important. One of the ways he can reciprocate that trust is by stopping the humiliation of the DP,” Gachagua added.
The Deputy President’s remarks highlight the delicate balancing act within Kenya Kwanza’s leadership and raise questions about the long-term impact of the President’s efforts to create a broad-based government. As political maneuvering continues behind the scenes, Gachagua’s confidence in President Ruto’s leadership may be tested, particularly as the opposition’s influence within government grows.
Gachagua’s candid acknowledgment of his trust in Ruto, despite lacking formal guarantees, showcases both his political vulnerability and the complexities of managing alliances in Kenya’s shifting political landscape. With rumors of impeachment and political intrigue swirling, the Deputy President’s steadfast loyalty could either bolster his standing or expose him to further political risk. Only time will tell how this delicate situation will unfold and whether Gachagua’s trust will be rewarded or challenged.
