NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 19 — Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has denied reports of defiance within the ruling party after revelations that lawmakers from the Mt Kenya region ganged up to defy President William Ruto.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga sparked the debate on Friday after he claimed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmakers from the region mobilized to elect “their own” despite a Parliamentary Group chaired by Ruto endorsing five candidates following an internal vote.
Kahiga on Friday claimed UDA lawmakers from the region were unhappy with the outcome of a Parliamentary Group meeting and crafted a plan that saw Azimio’s Kanini Kega elected alongside Godfrey Karobia (UDA) effectively locking out Fred Muteti who was among the endorsed candidates.
Responding to the reports on Saturday, Gachagua said differences among lawmakers were part of internal democracy being practiced in the ruling party with the blessings of its leader — Ruto.
“I want to tell members of the press that what they saw was internal democracy that our President William Ruto has allowed so the issue of defying him or cracks does not arise,” Gachagua affirmed in comments during a graduation at Outspan Medical College in Nyeri.
The DP who was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha faulted the media which he accused of misrepresenting the situation.
“Our president has allowed internal democracy to prevail so these is no division in our government which is still intact and we always agree,” he asserted.
Gachagua said contrary to reports, the Mt Kenya region is happy with Ruto’s administration which he said had appointed many people in strategic positions.
“We have witnessed appointments of many in Ruto administration. In fact, what we are witnessing was last seen fifty years ago so we have no cause to worry,” Gachagua said referring to privilages the region enjoyed during the reign of the country’s founding leader, Jomo Kenyatta.
He said the region will continue to unite under Ruto’s administration saying he will reach out to political class and businessmen who backed the opposition.
“I want to say here that we have extended a welcoming hand to all businessmen including mount Kenya foundation who were opposed to us we know that many were intimidated to fight us so we have no problem with them let them come,” the DP said.
He promised to deliver “13 per cent of the region’s voters” who supported Ruto’s rival Raila Odinga during the General Election on August 9.
