I'll be loyal to you, Rigathi tells Ruto in Mashujaa Day speech

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua flanked by a section of governors and international partners during a past event. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reiterated his loyalty to President William Ruto.

Gachagua's remarks seem to make reference to the broken relationship that President Ruto had with Uhuru Kenyatta during the Jubilee administration's second term.

Between 2017 and 2022, President Kenyatta had a frosty relationship with Ruto, whom he (Kenyatta) accused of engaging in early campaigns and painting the government as a failed unit.

President Kenyatta would, on March 9, 2018, shake hands with Raila Odinga, who had competed against him in the August 8, 2017 General Election.

Kenyatta would then go ahead to endorse Raila Odinga's 2022 presidential candidature.

DP Rigathi Gachagua now says a repeat of the same - a broken relationship between a president and his deputy - won't be experienced during the Kenya Kwanza reign.

"I want to assure you [President William Ruto] of my unprecedented support as your deputy, round the clock in delivering to the people of the Republic of Kenya," said Gachagua during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi County on Thursday, October 20.

The deputy president said the government was committed to helping Kenyans navigate post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery.

"We know Kenyans are suffering, no more talk, it is time to work. This is our nation and we are all rising together. There's no more room for pain and suffering."

In his speech, the DP lauded Kenyans for holding peaceful elections on August 9, 2022.

"Kenya is a mature democracy and indeed our great nation is back as an island of peace," he said.