Ruto singles out what he likes the most in Gachagua
Deputy President William Ruto has defended his running mate Rigathi Gachagua from public onslaught over his utterances in the recent past.
In an interview with a local TV station, Ruto said that they share a strong bond with the Mathira MP, with their nexus being "the people".
"Rigathi Gachagua is a very passionate leader. Rigathi Gachagua is a people's person. He speaks about the things I speak about. He speaks about ordinary people. He is concerned about matters to do with farmers. He's concerned about the things that are dear to ordinary Kenyans and the nexus between me and Rigathi Gachagua is the people. He believes in bottom-up the way I do and that is why I chose Rigathi Gachagua," said Ruto.
Ruto settled on the first time MP even after the Kenya Kwanza selection panel overwhelmingly voted for Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki to be the DP's running mate in the August polls.
"What I like most about Gachagua is his passion for people issues; the challenge we have in Kenya is so much about leaders who are passionate about the ordinary people and Rigathi Gachagua is one of those Kenyans," said Ruto.
Gachagua on his selection
In an interview with a local vernacular TV station on Monday, May 23, 2022, Ruto's running mate admitted that his selection by Ruto had divided Mt Kenya leaders.
"I had led these people for four years and we were okay then. We differed when this seat came up for grabs," Gachagua said.
"It is a personal decision by the presidential aspirant. He sought someone well known, compatible, who shares the same ideals, with proven value for friendship, that is how I defeated them," Gachagua added.
Gachagua on police uniform
In the past few days, Gachagua has made controversial remarks about the bottom-up economic model being proposed by Kenya Kwanza, an indication that he might not be reading from the same page with the DP.
In his recent remarks, he said that the Kenya Kwanza administration will abolish the current police uniform and revert to the old one, stating that the police uniform belongs to the PCEA women's guild.
"You have suffered so much in the hands of Matiang'i and Kibicho. Even the new blue uniform that you don't want will be revoked and we return to the old one. The blue one will be left for PCEA church. It is the uniform of the women's guild.
"We can’t allow our police officers to be demeaned by having such uniforms. It is an insult,” he stated.
Clergy criticizes Gachagua
His remarks immediately attracted criticism from the clergy who stated that the legislator's statement was an insult to the church and Kenyan women.
"Gachagua should respect the Church and stop being reckless,” Archbishop Josam Kariuki stated.
Exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna also hit out at the politician arguing that changing the police uniform shouldn't be a priority at the moment.
Miguna, who currently resides in Canada, said the Kenya Kwanza formation should prioritise issues affecting Kenyans such as the current economic hardships and social justice.
"This is a silly sideshow. No one asked you to change the police uniform. Focus on the agendas of 50 million Kenyans - jobs, human rights, democracy, rule of law, electoral and social justice. If not, shut up," Miguna said in a tweet.
Lawyer Makau Mutua also weighed in on the matter saying police reforms have nothing to do with the colour of the clothes.
"UDA’s DP nominee Rigathi Gachagua says he’ll reform the police by changing their uniform from BLUE to YELLOW. He says blue belongs to the PCEA’s Women’s Guild where he shall return it. What do police reforms have to do with the color of the uniform? What did women do to UDA?" Mutua posed.
