Gachagua explains 17-hour ‘standoff’ that delayed naming of Ruto’s running mate

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday confessed that the naming of the Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate in the last election was delayed for about 17 hours following a standoff over the suitable candidate to deputise William Ruto.

Speaking during an interdenominational thanksgiving service at Kirubia Stadium in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi county on Sunday, Mach 12, Gachagua said Ruto was caught right in the middle of a stalemate of who to choose between the former Mathira Member of Parliament and lawyer Kithure Kindiki.

Gachagua said the two potential candidates had met all the qualifications for the role, throwing Ruto into a dilemma on who to settle on.

After long deliberations characterised by a back and forth, Gachagua said, the President asked the two candidates to resolve the stalemate among themselves.

Gachagua said he managed to convince Kindiki to “defer” his ambitions because of his younger age.

According to Gachagua, the current Interior Cabinet Secretary was also promised a plum job in Ruto’s government if Kenya Kwanza won the poll, a pledge he said had been honoured.

“Huyu professor mimi nashukuru yeye. Siku raisi alikuwa anatafuta running mate akaona mimi natosha na professor anatosha. Akakuwa pale amekwama. Tumekwama karibu 17 hours. Akatuambia tukae chini na professor. Tukaongea nikamwambia professor kimiaka mimi ni mzee kidogo, wewe niwachie mimi niendelee tukipata wewe upatiwe ingine kubwa,” he said.

The running mate selection process reportedly created a rift in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance as leaders allied to Kindiki felt cheated following Gachagua’s nomination as Ruto’s running mate.

There were reports that Ruto settled on Gachagua even after the Kenya Kwanza selection panel overwhelmingly voted for Kindiki, the accomplished advocate garnered 24 votes from 30 leaders present.

Kindiki later announced that he would not seek any elective position in the August 9th, 2022, general election after Ruto settled on his rival.

In a past interview, Gachagua said the President had the final say on the choice of the Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate.

“It is a personal decision by the presidential aspirant. He sought someone well known, compatible, who shares the same ideals, with proven value for friendship, that is how I defeated them,” he said.