Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently returned to his Mount Kenya backyard, continuing his efforts to foster unity and rally support for his leadership. Fresh from a tour of Luo Nyanza alongside President William Ruto, Gachagua used his visit to reflect on the political cohesion he observed in the region, contrasting it with the divisions in Mount Kenya.
During his four-day tour of Nyanza, a stronghold of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Gachagua received a warm reception despite being a vocal critic of Odinga. He noted that the unity in the region stemmed from respect for Odinga’s leadership, something he found lacking in Mount Kenya. “Please be like other communities. I have never heard people of Luo insulting Raila, not a single one. I haven’t heard even one Kalenjin insulting William Ruto, and I haven’t heard even one Kamba insulting Kalonzo,” Gachagua said, urging his supporters to respect their leaders.
Gachagua has been positioning himself as the de facto political leader of Mount Kenya since the retirement of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022. However, his efforts have not been without challenges, as he continues to face resistance from some local politicians. Speaking in Mikumbune this week, Gachagua expressed his frustration with a few individuals he accused of being paid to undermine his leadership. “In a population of 13 million, they are less than 10; just ignore them. The people are good,” he said, emphasizing that the region’s strength lies in unity.
Gachagua urged the people of Mount Kenya not to allow divisions along county lines, emphasizing that their collective power is in their unity. He assured the residents that as long as they remained united, they would thrive politically and economically. “Don’t allow anybody to divide you along county lines. Our strength is our unity,” he added.
In his remarks, Gachagua also defended former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, who was dismissed from Ruto’s first Cabinet during a major reshuffle in July 2024. Gachagua praised Linturi’s performance, stating, “Linturi is our great son, and I want to say that as Deputy President, Linturi performed beyond expectations. He just got caught up in this reorganisation because of the political dynamics of the country, not because he failed to perform.” He encouraged Linturi to stay optimistic, expressing confidence that new opportunities would arise.
During the week, Gachagua also emphasized the importance of implementing presidential directives to maintain the authority of President Ruto. At the launch of the Presidential Directives Management Information System (PDMIS) and the Foreign Travel Information Management System (FOTIMS) at KICC, the DP stressed that it is the duty of government officials to ensure the dignity of the President’s office through timely execution of directives. “It is incumbent upon government officers led by CSs and PSs to make sure we dignify the person and office of the President by expeditiously implementing his directives,” Gachagua said.
On Thursday, Gachagua was in Mombasa County for a series of engagements, including meeting with Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) directors. He urged them to fast-track reforms in the tea subsector to benefit farmers, focusing on reducing production costs and operational expenses to increase farmers’ earnings. “The tea farmer has suffered for far too long. They have broken their backs. You must feel for the farmer. You must set your targets,” Gachagua emphasized.
Gachagua’s activities in Mombasa also included the opening of the Mombasa International Show and a visit to the KTDA Tea Warehouse at Mengo and Miritini. He highlighted his commitment to transforming the lives of Kenyans, referencing his support for Mama Asha Sidi Chengo, a small-scale food vendor whose son he helped enroll in secondary school.
Gachagua’s call for unity and respect for leadership continues to be a central theme as he navigates the political landscape of Mount Kenya, aiming to consolidate support and steer the region towards cohesive leadership.
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