DP Gachagua: I am not interested in who will succeed Ruto

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Rutoa at the traditional dowry ceremony of Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi and Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina. [PCS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says he is not interested in who will become the next head of State after President William Ruto.

Speaking in Bungoma today, Gachagua said in his view it is too early to engage in the 2032 succession politics when there is too much work to be done.

He said that he (Gachagua) and President Ruto are too busy working on the economic revival of the country and therefore it does not bother them on who will the next head of state.

"As a country, we are facing difficulties, the President and I are very busy working on the economic revival of this country, creating opportunities for employment, and trying to look for foreign investors to directly invest here," said Gachagua.

He added, "I am seeing some people who are lost talking about the 2032 presidency. We are only one year in office, how can you talk about 2032 when even 2027 is a premature debate? Please don't involve me in that debate of 2032."

The DP said he is still committed to dealing with coffee cartels, the current El Nino rains that have wreaked havoc across the country and helping the president deliver on his mandate.

He said as a result, he has no time to engage in 'useless and unproductive' debates of 2032, terming it a 'misadventure'.

"I don't understand why people are talking about 2032 and dragging me into succession politics yet we still have nine years to go. When that time comes, we shall see what to do," he said.

Gachagua was attending an interdenominational church service that brought together over 20 churches at Kopsiro DCC Grounds in Mt Elgon, Bungoma County.

He was accompanied by the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, his deputy Jennifer Mbatiany and Senator David Wakoli.

MPs Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon), Julius Rutto (Kesses) Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), John Waluke (Sirisia) and Webuye West MP Daniel Wanyama are among the legislators that accompanied the DP.

Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai was also present.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale had earlier made assertions that Gachagua was using junior leaders like UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala to fight seasoned politicians in the country and warned him that 'he will not succeed Ruto as President in 2032'.

But Webuye MP Wanyama in response to Khalwale said the Senator should respect the deputy president and stop 'hurling insults' at him.

"It's good to respect Gachagua. You (Khalwale) can't speak the way you are speaking, yet you are one of those we worked together to form the Kenya Kwanza government," said Wanyama.

The MP said Gachagua and Ruto should be allowed to work for Kenyans and stop bringing a political discourse between them.