August polls: Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate
Deputy President William Ruto has named Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his choice for the running mate position. Gachagua beat Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki to the position after a myriad of considerations after a robust discussion at Ruto's Karen residence.
Ruto stated that Gachagua scored highly in every parameter that was used to reach a suitable candidate to aid him in captaining the Kenya Kwanza ship.
The Deputy President heaped praises on the lawmaker, describing him as an astute debater, a loyal ally and a talented ground mobilizer.
"Ladies and gentlemen that good Kenyan, my friend who I have worked with, especially in the economic model, I present to you the Kenya Kwanza running mate candidate my brother and friend Rigathi Gachagua," Ruto announced.
On his part, the Mathira lawmaker expressed gratitude to the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate for handing him the coveted position.
"Thank you, your excellency. I will not let you down, I will not let the hustler nation down and I will not let Kenyans down," he said.
Gachagua vowed to help Ruto see through all his aspirations for Kenyans and to ensure he delivers on his hustler agenda.
"With the team, you have assembled, I believe we have what it takes to realise the dreams of the hustler nation and it will be a great honour for me to play my part," he said
Ruto stated that the top brass of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition was holed up in a meeting that lasted 17 hours as they sought to beat the May 16 deadline set by the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Ruto was expected to name his deputy on Saturday, May 14, 2022, but the announcement was postponed after an alleged standoff between two rival camps.
The camp had earlier shortlisted six politicians for the running mate slot but later narrowed it down to Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
Ruto thanked Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kandara MP Alice Wahome and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi for shelving their ambitions in favour of the tough-talking Mathira MP.
