Ruto has moved to State House, I will move to Karen residence, just not now Rigathi

Rigathi Gachagua taking the oath of office on September 13, 2022 as Kenya's Deputy President. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he is yet to move to the official residence of the deputy president in Karen. He is still residing in his private home not too far from the famous 'hustler's mansion'.

Rigathi, while speaking to KTN News, said moving to the Karen residence is a difficult decision to make.

"I have lived here for the last 24 years and I have such an emotional attachment to this home. My children grew up here, my parents lived with me here for many years.

"It's a very nostalgic decision for me just to walk out of a home we have lived for 24 years and go start a new home," said Rigathi.

The DP disclosed that President William Ruto has already moved to State House.

"My boss President William Ruto has already moved to State House and the official residence of the deputy president is ready. But I am yet to come to terms with the new situation.

"I still feel better sleeping and waking up here because 24 years is a long time. A home is a home. You like your bed, the way you wake up, your environment, in any case there is no hurry," said Rigathi.

Rigathi said he will move to the official residence later.

"Work is going on and in due course I will move to the official residence but I need to digest the changes and all the things that are going around me. They are very momentous. I am yet to acclimatise, digest and accept the new situation and status. It was very overwhelming so I need to take a bit of time but in due course I will be moving to the official residence," said Rigathi.

The official residence of the deputy president sits on a 10-acre piece of land in the Karen suburbs within Nairobi County. The project that was started in 2006 cost the taxpayer a total of Sh 383 million.

Former Vice President Moody Awori was meant to be the house's first occupant, but delays in completing its construction saw him retiring without moving in.

Kalonzo Musyoka, too, left the vice presidency without having occupied the house whose construction tender was awarded in 2005.

The late former president Mwai Kibaki officially opened the residence in November 2012.