Isaac Mwaura denies claims of Ruto-Gachagua rift
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, October 10, 2023Newly appointed Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has refuted recent reports alleging a rift between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Reports of a rift between the two leaders emerged over the weekend after the Head of State differed with Gachagua on his remarks that the government should give priority to the regions that overwhelmingly voted for the Kenya Kwaza regime in the last general election.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Monday night, Mwaura termed the allegations as the creation of the media.
“It’s the creation of the media. Deliberate creation of that rift. The president and deputy are reading from the same script,” Mwaura said.
Mwaura affirmed that the government would serve all Kenyans equally irrespective of their voting patterns in the last presidential poll.
He, however, noted that those who supported the current regime would be given priority in State appointments, adding they are the ones who understand and share the government’s vision.
“I want to say clearly and categorically that every Kenyan has an equal opportunity to whatever the government has to offer. Yes, it is true that those who worked with the President and the DP may get a priority in terms of serving in certain positions. At the same time, the President is reaching out to everyone even those who did not vote for him to ensure that we move forward as a country,” Mwaura stated.
“I do not see a difference between the President’s and DP’s position on the shareholding conversation. I think there is a lot of misquoting. Let the media not try to drive a wedge between the President and the DP.”
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.