Nairobi
Wednesday,12 June 2024
By Teddy Makori
In a Citizen TV interview on Tuesday, 11 June, 2024 , Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria addressed circulating rumors of a Looming rift between President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The whispers of discord have been growing, fueled by a series of public disagreements and contrasting statements from the nation’s top leaders.
Kuria, however, was unequivocal in his stance stating that there is no empirical evidence of any fallout between the two leaders.
From his vantage point, Kuria sees no signs of trouble. “I think from where I sit, there is nothing,” he stated firmly during the Tuesday night interview.
He emphasized that the relationship between Ruto and Gachagua remains solid, and any perceived tension is without substantial foundation.
Kuria dismissed the speculations, attributing them to external narratives rather than any real discord within the executive branch.
The speculations of a rift began after a series of public exchanges that painted a picture of disunity.
Deputy President Gachagua had pointed fingers at certain leaders close to President Ruto, accusing them of trying to bring division within the Mt Kenya region.
This assertion was followed by President Ruto making statements that appeared to contradict Gachagua’s directives one being his remarks again the equitable revenue sharing and allocation that disregarded Gachagua’s ‘One man, One vote, One shilling’ agenda. Similary, while Gachagua urged MPs to remain within their constituencies, Ruto encouraged them to traverse the country, asserting it was part of their oversight responsibilities.
Despite these incidents, Kuria believes any potential issues should be resolved amicably. He suggested that if a split were to occur, it would be up to Deputy President Gachagua to address and mend any differences.
Kuria’s comments underscore the expectation that internal conflicts should be handled within the framework of respect and collaboration.
Moreover, Kuria highlighted the numerous responsibilities entrusted to Gachagua by President Ruto, which illustrate the confidence and trust between the two leaders.
Gachagua has been given significant mandates, including instituting reforms in the coffee and tea sectors, overseeing the regeneration of the Nairobi River, and coordinating disaster management initiatives. These tasks not only signify trust but also highlight Gachagua’s integral role in the current administration.“Rigathi Gachagua has done incredibly well in managing the cabinet committees,” Kuria noted. He praised the deputy president’s contributions to the effective functioning of the government, particularly in streamlining cabinet processes. Kuria’s remarks suggest that Gachagua’s focus should remain on his substantial national duties rather than regional issues, which seem to be the crux of the rumored discord.Kuria further remarked that Gachagua should see himself as fortunate. He pointed out that the privileges and responsibilities Gachagua currently enjoys were not given to president Ruto when he was deputy president. In the political space , rumors and speculations have always been inevitable. However, Kuria’s statements aim to put to rest any concerns about instability at the top of Kenya’s leadership. Meanwhile, the President and his deputy have continued to advocate for unity amongst leaders in the country despite contrary attacks towards Gachagua for preaching tribalism.