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In a sign of widening rift between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Moses Kuria yesterday revealed that some of the DP’s roles have been reassigned to him.

While addressing mourners during the burial of his aunt Mary Njeri at Kairi village in Gatundu North, Kiambu county, Kuria (pictured) revealed that Ruto had assigned him the role of spearheading reforms in the coffee sub-sector.

The task of implementing reforms in key agricultural sub-sectors particularly tea, coffee and dairy had been delegated to the second in command to ease the plight of millions of farmers who rely on the produce for a livelihood.

Gachagua had among other things been tasked to intervene in the sector to rescue it from collapsing following sustained low production over the years and infiltration by cartels.

Streamline sector

While Kuria did not directly mention Gachagua in his address, he revealed that some individuals who had been given the job had failed to streamline the sector saying that he approached Ruto seeking to be given the responsibility which he pledged to undertake effectively.

“Some people were given the coffee sector to man but the role overwhelmed them. I went to the President and asked him to give me the job to streamline the coffee sector. I got the job and I can assure you that I will streamline the sector,” he said.

Kuria went on to reveal that coffee farmers will from next month start receiving their coffee payment directly in their respective bank accounts unlike before when they have been receiving their dues via their cooperative societies.

“Coffee funds will be sent to farmers directly while those which should be channelled to societies will be sent to their accounts,” he added.

Kuria accused Gachagua of being a ’cry-baby’ despite his central role and influence in government and urged him and other leaders to stop misleading Kenyans.

“There are people who live in the kitchen, they’re actually the cooks but they keep crying and telling people of how things are bad. We live because of hope but success is personal. We all depend on our hard work and toil and however much I would love you, success is personal,” he said.

He at the same time called on Kenyans to be patient with the government and urged clerics to be in the forefront of giving hope to the people.

“Let’s be optimistic and people who strengthen each other. The church should be at the front line of giving hope to the people. We live because of hope,” he stated.

The crack between Ruto and Gachagua has continued to widen two years since they assumed their highly-coveted offices, a situation that has also divided their junior politicians.