Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has responded forcefully to rumors and alleged calls for his impeachment, asserting his firm position within President William Ruto’s administration. Addressing residents in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, on Saturday, Gachagua dismissed the talks of his ouster as “nonsense” and urged those spreading such rumors to confine their discussions to WhatsApp groups rather than making divisive statements in public forums.
Gachagua’s comments come at a critical time when speculation is rife about his future in the administration, following reports of clandestine meetings involving 21 Mt. Kenya politicians who allegedly discussed raising an impeachment motion against him. The grounds for such a move reportedly center on accusations that Gachagua has been undermining the presidency by promoting tribal-based politics, particularly focusing on the Mt. Kenya region.
The Deputy President, however, remains defiant. During his address in Sagana, he emphasized the unwavering support of the Mt. Kenya region for President Ruto’s government, stating, “The people of Mt. Kenya, this is our government. We invested in his government. I’ve heard people saying that we leave the government, how can we leave our own government? I want to ask leaders not to make statements that confuse Kenyans.”
Gachagua went further to criticize the notion of his removal from office, describing it as absurd. He argued that such discussions should remain within private circles, like WhatsApp groups, and should not be aired publicly to avoid sowing discord among the citizens. “That kind of nonsense should be contained in WhatsApp groups. When you come to the rural areas, speak in a voice that unites us. Can we leave the person we voted for? We are in this government 100 per cent,” he declared.
Gachagua’s remarks were made during a three-day tour of the Mt. Kenya region alongside President Ruto, which began in Embu and extended to Murang’a and Kirinyaga. The timing of this tour has fueled speculation that it may have been intended to gauge Gachagua’s support within his political stronghold, especially in light of the recent impeachment rumors.
Despite the swirling speculations, Gachagua remains committed to his role, particularly in uniting the Mt. Kenya region and advocating for the interests of its people. He has received backlash from some quarters for his efforts to secure government positions for individuals from the region and for addressing the concerns of avocado farmers. However, he maintains that his actions are in the best interest of the region and the country as a whole.
“I have not seen the impeachment motion but I have heard rumors that it is being pursued because of my efforts to secure government positions for our people and address issues faced by avocado farmers,” Gachagua said during a media briefing at his residence on August 4, 2024.
Critics, including politicians close to President Ruto, have accused Gachagua of engaging in tribal politics rather than fostering national unity. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah publicly criticized Gachagua during an event in Laikipia in June 2024, urging leaders to focus on uniting the entire nation, not just specific regions.
In response, Gachagua has insisted that his calls for unity are misunderstood and misrepresented. He stated, “I am on record as a great peacemaker. The unity we are calling for is not against anybody, it is the unity of purpose. The unity we are calling for is the unity of Kenya and we are doing it bottom up.”
As the political tensions continue to simmer, Gachagua’s resolve remains evident. He continues to advocate for the interests of the Mt. Kenya region while navigating the complex dynamics of national politics, determined to maintain his position within the administration and to promote unity across Kenya.
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