Gachagua flies back to Kenya after South Africa visit

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua left South Africa on Thursday, June 20, 2024, after visiting the country to represent President William Ruto during the swearing-in ceremony of President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term in office.

In a statement, Gachagua said he was coming back to Kenya after a successful engagement in South Africa.

“After a successful visit to South Africa, where I represented our President, H. E Dr. William Samoei Ruto at the Inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday,” Gachagua noted.

“I took time to listen to the leadership of the Kenyan Diaspora Association in South Africa before heading back.”

President Ramaphosa was inaugurated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, after winning the presidency despite the ruling party African National Congress (ANC) losing popularity among South African voters.

South Africa’s Parliament re-elected Ramaphosa as the country’s president following a coalition deal between the governing African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties.

For the first time in 30 years, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority, forcing a deal with opposition parties in order to form the government.

Rigathi flight

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Gachagua flew out of the country aboard a Kenya Airways plane in the company of Kiambu senator Karungo Thangwa.

A statement by the head of the Deputy President Communications Service said Gachagua would be in South Africa in an official capacity.

“DP Gachagua will deliver a congratulatory message from H.E President Ruto to President Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa,” Rugene noted.

Rugene added that the Deputy President would later be involved in diplomatic engagements with South Africa to deepen the two countries’ ties for their mutual benefit.

Finance bill tension

Gachagua comes back to the country amid protests that rocked various regions of the country as the Parliament approved the contentious Finance Bill 2024 to proceed to a second reading.

Parliament sailed the bill by a vote in which 115 members of Parliament voted no while the other 204 MPs voted in favour of the bill.

The bill will be debated in Parliament for the second time on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

During the protests, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) revealed that their staff had treated at least 300 demonstrators injured during a confrontation with police officers.

A section of politicians called out the police over what they said was the use of excessive force in controlling the protestors.

Similarly, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) urged members of the public aggrieved and affected by the recent police crackdown on protestors to submit their complains for investigations.