Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he fully supports President William Ruto’s decision to appoint new Cabinet Secretaries and is ready to work with whoever is approved by Parliament.

Gachagua said his work is to assist the President, and he is okay with the formation of a broad-based government, under which four members of Opposition parties have been nominated to the new Cabinet.

“I have no objection with the new nominees and formation of broad-based government by the President. Let the new nominees come we work together for the people of Kenya,” he said, rejecting claims that he was not happy with the changes.

“As the Deputy President and principal assistant to the President, my work is to support him, respect and be loyal to him. I support his decisions.”

Development plans

Gachagua said the four nominees – Wycliffe Oparanya, Hassan Joho, John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, picked from Orange Democratic Movement – are welcome to the Cabinet.

Addressing worshippers at a Catholic church in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, after Mass, Gachagua said the broad-based government will help the President implement his development plans.

“We have no problem (with the formation of a broad-based government by the President); we are contented with his decision. Let the new nominees come we work together for the people of Kenya. My work is to support the President, be loyal, advise and work with him,” Gachagua said.

Asking Kenyans to rally behind the President, the DP said he will continue carrying out his mandate as the principal assistant to the President.

After the church service, Gachagua addressed residents of Engineer town, where he reiterated his call for national unity and asked leaders to embrace each other.

Subsidized fertilizer

He urged Kenyans to participate in governance and decision-making processes.

“Voters and Kenyans in general should start questioning their leaders to enhance accountability in governance and make the leaders accountable on the decisions they make on public issues,” he said.

“The political leaders that are being used to pull others down and drive a wedge in the Mt Kenya community should be cautious because their mission will fail,” he said.

Gachagua also called on political leaders to focus their energies on pushing for issues that will benefit socio-economic development and shun the propaganda and divisive politics of ‘pulling down top leaders’.

On development, the DP highlighted the government’s development plan and stated that the Ruto administration will increase access to subsidised fertilisers to reach more farmers and improve the country’s food productivity.

“We will supply more fertiliser so that all farmers can benefit and concentrate on food production. Construction of the Nyandarua Industrial Park is ongoing to benefit farmers,” he said