Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again publicly implored President William Ruto to allow him to complete his term in office, amid growing efforts by lawmakers to impeach him.
Speaking on Friday, September 27, 2024, during a roadside rally, Gachagua lambasted Members of Parliament (MPs) who he claims are threatening him with an ouster motion in the National Assembly.
In an impassioned speech, Gachagua reaffirmed that his mandate was secured on a joint ticket with President Ruto in the 2022 elections, brushing off the threats against him.
“Ati wabunge wananiuzia uoga ati watanifukuza kwa kazi, eehhh wananiuzia uoga! Si wananiuzia uoga? Mimi naambia hawa hii serikali tulipata na shida mingi sana. Na ile chama yetu ya UDA iko na president na deputy president na sisi tulichaguliwa tiketi moja, mimi hapana rais alinipatia kazi hapana ni nyinyi, sindio? Ni nyinyi ama si nyingi?” He remarked, addressing the crowd in Kiswahili.
(“The MPs are trying to intimidate me, saying they will remove me from office. They are intimidating me, aren’t they? But I am telling them that we fought hard to get this government, and we were elected on a joint ticket. It wasn’t the president who gave me this job, it was you, the people, wasn’t it?”)
UDA’s death
Gachagua went on to warn that his impeachment could bring instability to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kenya’s ruling party, and implored Ruto to keep the administration intact.
“Sisi tunasema kama hamtaki Rigathi Gachagua, sasa si UDA itakwisha? Itakwisha haitakwisha? Sasa mimi nauliza wale wanapanga njama pale, rais wetu nakuomba hii serikali usiharibu. Hii serikali tulipata pamoja, hii serikali wacha tutembee pamoja,” he said.
(“We are saying, if you don’t want Rigathi Gachagua, then UDA will collapse, won’t it? So I am asking those plotting out there, my president, I beg you, don’t destroy this government. We got this government together, let us walk together.”)
Finish term together
In a candid moment, Gachagua directly addressed Ruto, asking the president to endure their partnership for the remainder of their term and to make any necessary decisions regarding their political future closer to the next general election, scheduled for 2027.
“Wacha tukafanye kazi miaka tatu ile imebaki, hapo mbele kama uko na maneno ingine unaweza amua,” Gachagua urged, implying that Ruto could consider his political fate later.
(“Let us work for the remaining three years, and if you have other plans afterward, you can decide then.”)
He also took the opportunity to remind the crowd and the president that his position was granted by the people of Kenya, underscoring his mandate as Deputy President.
“Lakini kwa saa hii, mimi nilipewa kura na hii watu ya Kenya. Si iko namna hio? Wangapi wanasema Rigathi Gachagua alichaguliwa na Wakenya? Sindio? Sindio?” he asked, as the crowd responded affirmatively.
(“But for now, I was elected by the people of Kenya. Isn’t that the case? How many of you say Rigathi Gachagua was elected by Kenyans? Isn’t that so?”)
Don’t touch Mt Kenya
Gachagua also invoked the political importance of his support base in Kenya’s Mount Kenya region, a crucial voting bloc that both he and President Ruto relied on in the 2022 election.
“Tukisema harambee munasema usiguze mlima. Wasiguze mlima sindio?” Gachagua rallied the crowd.
(“When we call for unity, we say don’t touch the mountain. Don’t touch the mountain, right?”)
This is not the first time Gachagua has made a public appeal to Ruto to spare him from political ousting. Just a week earlier, on September 20, 2024, during a live television interview, Gachagua pleaded with the president to uphold their 2022 agreement.
“Please allow me to work for the remaining three years. Let me serve the people of Kenya and keep your promise, Mr. President, so that you can earn the trust of the people of Kenya,” Gachagua said at the time.
Keep your promise
During the TV interview, Gachagua also urged Ruto to rein in his close allies, who he claimed were actively undermining him.
He referenced a commitment the president made to him in the presence of his family during their 2022 campaign.
“Be a good man and a good Christian; Keep that promise, President William Ruto, because that is a commitment you gave to the people of Kenya, and you gave me that promise in front of my wife and children that you will never allow anybody to demean, disrespect, harass, persecute, intimidate and coerce me,” Gachagua stated.
As political wrangling continues to escalate within the ruling party, it remains to be seen whether Gachagua’s appeals will secure his position or further deepen the divisions within UDA.
His remarks, while defiant, suggest growing uncertainty within Kenya’s top leadership as the impeachment efforts gain momentum in parliament.
For now, Gachagua is rallying his supporters and invoking the people’s mandate, but the real test may come in the days ahead, as political factions within UDA navigate Kenya’s turbulent political landscape.
