Politicians differ over Ruto-Gachagua rift

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [PCS]

The raging debate over the emerging differences between President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua has continued to elicit mixed reactions over what could have triggered the animosity.

While some leaders have described the union between Rigathi and Gachagua as a marriage of convenience that was not grounded on solid foundation, one of the DP's defenders believes that it is time the union was dissolved to avert further acrimony.

Embakasi Norther MP James Gakuya wants the President to stop alienating his deputy saying that he (DP Gachagua) is the kingpin of Mt Kenya region and deserves respect.

"The counter is simple, it is either the marriage materialised and moved on or, if there are difficulties, people part. It is not cast on stone. There is no permanent enmity or friendship in politics," Gakuya said.

"If you think that (the DP) has become a burden, then there comes an element of betrayal, at that time, you decide what is next," he added.

Speaking during a morning TV show, the MP said that Mt Kenya residents initially wanted Ndindi Nyoro but when they approached him while in Nanyuki for a retreat, he reportedly declared that he will defend the Kiharu parliamentary seat.

"Ndindi was in the same team with Rigathi and we asked him when the President was looking for a running mate, "Are you ready to go for the running mate then we play the mechanism and ask the President to give you the support from Murang'a area?" Gakuya said

"The Kiharu MP declined the offer and that was when we moved to the other candidate," he added.

However, Mathare MP Antony Oluoch, who was on the panel on the morning TV show argued that the president had no freewill when he was shopping for a running mate.

Oluoch claimed that the choice of running mate was influenced by talk of shareholding in Kenya Kwanza by principals who had spent millions of shillings to fund the presidential campaign.

He argued that Gachagua had spent a lot of money and so he was automatically found suitable for the position.

"This shareholding was supposed to translate to, you are President and I am President in terms of employment opportunities which were discussed in Limuru and other platforms and I think that the deputy on his side of the divide of the mountain feels that their shares have systematically been diluted in the process," he said.

Oluoch attributed the rift in the mountain to what he termed a hypocritical marriage that happened between the President and the second in command.

Gachagua has come out to assert himself to be seen that he is still in command.

"I made a decision as the senior most leader in this region to unite everybody irrespective of where you voted and that is the unity of purpose for this region. I Rigathi Gachagua will never fight my brother or my sister we have learnt our lessons on divisions," he said.

"Other regions are not fighting. People want this region to fight for us to get lost but why I am happy today is that ordinary people from Mt Kenya are united. Since back in the days this region has had a history of traitors and betrayers," he added.