By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out to respond to reports that he plans to abandon the ruling party – UDA.
The reports were published by the Daily Nation on Wednesday.
In a statement signed by head of deputy Presidential Communications Service Njeri Rugune, the DP described the reports ae false and concocted.
“To associate His Excellency the Deputy President with another political party, especially one with questionable association can only have been done in bad faith,” the second in command said.
He further noted that the reports are aimed at undermining his role as the Deputy Party leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) parry.
“It is deliberately intended to disparage and attack the integrity of His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” Rugune said in the statement.
According to Daily Nation, the DP has allegedly made contact with New Democrats Party.
The party was initially headed by former President Mwai Kigali’s son – Jimmy.
Jimmy recently announced his retirement from politics.
Meanwhile, the second in command has demanded that the said story be retracted and an apology with same prominence issued.
“The article clearly violates the tenants of professional journalism that demand objectivity, balance and fairness,” said the statement from the DPs office.
Reports of Gachagua seeking to quit UDA comes amid cracks within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.In the recent days, there has been war of words pitting allies of DP Gachagua on one side and those believed to be on the side of Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
Early on Wednesday, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala issued a warning to Kenya Kwanza politicians he claimed were engaging in activities likely to cause divisions.
Malala singled out Sudi, Githunguri’s Gathoni Wamuchomba and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
He also warned Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Moses Kuria against engaging in politics.