By Mujidu Victor,
The appointment of the Mathira member of parliament Rigathi Gachagua as presidential running mate in the Kenya Kwanza team serves as a blessing and stepping stone to the Azimio-Oka coalition in campaigning ahead of the August 9, General Election.
Mucheru believes that Gachagua’s controversial statements in political rallies have presumably given the Azimio La Umoja the opportunity to win more votes without much effort.
While appearing on KTN News Checkpoint yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Joe Mucheru, conceded to be part of those in support of the unveiling of Gachagua as Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate.
Mucheru believes that Gachagua’s controversial statements in political rallies have presumably given the Azimio La Umoja the opportunity to win more votes without much effort.
“He is a friend of mine, we come from Nyeri. I can say he has been a great blessing to us in Azimio in the things that he says.
“I know he probably doesn’t believe it but he is saying it. Gachagua is promising the Nyeri people that his government will open a state lodge for rice, meat and soda but the residents want more roads and hospitals. He is a blessing to us,” he said.
He described Gachagua as a man who had lost network in tackling fundamental issues like infrastructure which serves as the primary key to Kenyans.
Gachagua seems to endure backlash for not biting his tongue once making speeches. Some of his remarks scald the voters he is looking to win over.
Towards the end of May, a clip of the lawmaker went viral admitting that he and the Mount Kenya region supported the DP because of their love of money.
He argued that Ruto had a plan that would enable the residents of the mountain region to make more money, prompting leaders from the region to back his bid.
“Money is a good icon, it is the key to the heart and mountain breaker and because we in the region love money, we chose to support Ruto. He has a plan on how we will get the money, and anyone who has a plan on how we will get money becomes our friend,” he said at the time.
Some of the UDA leaders were aggravated by Gachagua’s comments urging him to filter his words before speaking. However, the Azimio team had already accused the Deputy President’s camp of having plans to entice Mt. Kenya leaders with handouts.
Recently, Gachagua promised the abolishment of blue police uniforms, equating them as fit for PCEA Women’ Guild — a comment that irked the clergy and women in the group alike.
He also came under fire after he urged the police to release UDA supporters who will be in custody on August 9, promising to reward them with university education so they could get ‘proper employment’.
