Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disclosed that he made an agreement with President William Ruto after being chosen as his running mate for the 2022 elections. Gachagua mentioned that Ruto wanted him to secure the Mt. Kenya vote in the competitive election and help in running the government afterward.
“When Ruto selected me as Deputy President, we had two conditions. One was for me to assist in running the government, and the other was to organize matters in Mt. Kenya. Ruto chose me for the DP position because he wanted the Mt. Kenya votes. That’s the truth. If he didn’t want those votes, he would have chosen someone else,” Gachagua said during an interview with vernacular stations on Sunday.
The Deputy President has faced criticism for allegedly favoring the Mt. Kenya region. Critics argue that Gachagua should act as a unifying figure for the nation rather than focusing on one region’s interests.
On July 28, Gachagua dismissed these criticisms, stating he will unabashedly express his affection for the Mt. Kenya region.
“I’m guilty as charged, I have no defense. If loving my people, caring for them, and thinking about them makes me guilty, then I am guilty. Loving my people doesn’t mean I have an issue with others. All Kenyans are our friends; they are my people, we speak the same language, and understand each other,” he said