By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, May 19, 2024, made his first public appearance after missing several high-profile meetings.
There have been questions about the DP’s whereabouts after he missed the recent state visit from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Gachagua was also nowhere to be seen as President William Ruto left the country for a brief visit to Rwanda.
When Ruto returned, the DP was also not among those that welcomed him.
On Frida, NTV noted that the second in command had missed at least 11 key events, raising eyebrows over the status of his relationship with the President.
The last time Gachagua had been seen in a public event was in Embu, a week ago, when he publicly declared his support for the controversial ‘One Man, One Shilling, One Vote’ push.
His statement elicited mixed reactions with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria throwing a salvo at him.
But amid speculations about the state of affairs within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, the DP on Sunday attended a church service in his home county – Nyeri.
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. – ACTS 2: 4 On this Pentecost Sunday, I join the Christian Catholic Faithful for Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Endarasha Catholic Church, Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County,” he said in an update on his verified X handle.
At the church service, the DP said he was accompanied with a host of leaders, among them area Member of Parliament Wainaina Chieni, Mugambi Rindikiri, G.K. Ruku, Jayne Kihara of Naivasha, James Gakuya, Benjamin Gathiru Mejja Donk, Dr. John Mutunga and former Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru.
DP Gachagua makes a public appearance days after the launch of the Haki Coalition by a section of Mount Kenya leaders during a meeting dubbed’ Limuru III’.
It also comes as President Ruto prepares to jet out of the country for a state visit to the United States of America.