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Former Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri has opened up about intrigues behind the selection of Rigathi Gachagua as President William Ruto’s running mate in last year’s election.

Speaking during a live session on his Facebook page, Ngunjiri claimed that a Mount Kenya delegation shed tears while pleading with the UDA party leader to name the former Mathira MP as his running mate in the hotly contested race.

The firebrand former lawmaker was addressing media reports alleging a rift between Gachagua and his boss following their divergent views on the DP’s stance that the national government is like a limited company, where those who voted for the current regime are the biggest shareholders and must benefit first.

According to Ngunjiri, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Gachagua’s wife, Pastor Dorcas, attended the intense discussions at Ruto’s Karen residence.

“I was in the frontline in Karen. Ruto knows it. It was Ndindi Nyoro, Gachagua and his wife, the President and me. We negotiated and it was tough. I shed tears. We cried as we implored Ruto to consider Gachagua for the position. Gachagua’s wife also cried as Ruto watched,” Ngunjiri stated.

Apparently, the meeting followed a 17-hour standoff that delayed the naming of Ruto’s running mate.

Six UDA politicians were eyeing the deputy president’s seat but after a lengthy consultation by the party’s top brass, the race went down to the wire between Gachagua and former Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.

“We did not hate Kindiki. We were keen on getting all the votes from Mt Kenya and Riggy G knows it,” Ngunjiri said adding that Ruto finally settled on the former Mathira MP to deputise him.

Ngunjiri, while weighing in on the alleged Ruto-Gachagua fallout, urged the DP to desist from creating an impression that he was fighting the President.

“Do not throw words at the President. I also appeal to the President not to let his house be divided,” he stated.

He urged Gachagua to learn from the mistakes of the Jubilee party administration that saw Ruto, then retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s deputy, sidelined from the government.

“I plead with Gachagua, please learn from history. We had problems during the last government between retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto, who was then Deputy President. We do not that situation to repeat itself. The President (Ruto) is on record saying he would not wish to suppress his deputy,” he said.

Ruto distances himself from Gachagua’s remarks

President Ruto on Friday distanced himself from Gachagua’s shareholding remarks, terming them as primitive.

“It is primitive and backwards for anybody to imagine that any region of Kenya cannot get development on account of how they voted. I want to assure the people of Kenya that we will move together as one nation,” President Ruto said during his four-day working tour of the Nyanza region.

Speaking during the commissioning of Ksh150 million Level Four hospital project at Urenga, Ugenya sub-county, the president noted that every part of Kenya deserves development since the residents contribute taxes to run the government.

“This is your government and will ensure that every part of the country is not discriminated against on development because of political grounds. The debt we owe you (Kenyans) as the people you entrusted with offices is service delivery and for that to be achieved, it calls for us to work together and do projects and programs that will uplift your lives,” Ruto said.

Gachagua unapologetic

Gachagua on Sunday maintained his stance on his shareholding remarks, insisting that Kenya Kwanza allies should benefit immensely for their contributions to the current administration.

“I have no apologies; I am unapologetic to demand and to insist that those who believed in William Ruto and supported him as a man have every right to benefit immensely from his government. I have no apology, at all, and if that can bring a problem so be it,” Gachagua said during a church service in Kapsabet, in Nandi County.

“You suffered for five years kwa sababu ya kumuunga mkono William Ruto akiwa Deputy President, mkatengwa, maendeleo ikapelekwa mahali hawakupiga kura mkiangalia tu mkiona ikipita, sasa you need affirmative action to catch up and we are not apologetic to anybody at all,” Gachagua said.

The DP also went on to dismiss the fallout claims as propaganda.

“Our government led by William Ruto is steady and very stable, there is no problem and there will be none.

“The President and I are not foolish, we are great friends and even if you hear us talking differently, it is still the same thing,” Gachagua explained.