Gachagua Hails Mudavadi’s Ascension in Recent Political Changes

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stated on Friday, October 6, 2023, that he has no issue with President William Ruto’s decision to elevate Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s authority.

Gachagua mentioned that, instead, he has been requesting President Ruto to reduce some of the responsibilities he has assigned to him.

In the cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday night, President Ruto seemed to enhance Mudavadi’s authority by appointing him as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This move was interpreted as a political threat to Gachagua’s position, influence, and authority in the Kenya Kwanza government.

“President Ruto and I are friends. We consult on everything we do. I have been given many responsibilities. Actually, I have even asked him to reduce some of the responsibilities he has assigned to me,” said Gachagua, indicating that they had discussed the decision to elevate Mudavadi.

Gachagua made these remarks on Friday morning during an interview with a radio station at his residence in Karen, Nairobi.

His statement came just one day after some leaders in the Mount Kenya region criticized the reshuffle, labeling it as “favoring” the Western region.

On Thursday, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a close ally of Gachagua, criticized the reshuffle, saying it “sends a certain message to Mount Kenya in 2027.”

However, Gachagua disagreed with the governor, stating that the reshuffle did not target the Mount Kenya region in any way.

“The positions allocated to Mount Kenya are still intact. They have not been taken by anyone else. So, our people should remain calm because our share in this government still exists,” he explained.

The Deputy President also denied any differences between him and the new Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Moses Kuria.

“Bw. Kuria is like my son. What we did was to mentor him in terms of behavior, just as a father does for his children,” he said.

Gachagua also mentioned that he has successfully secured businessmen from the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who will directly purchase coffee from farmers.

“We have started to see progress in our efforts to streamline coffee matters. Farmers will start smiling soon,” he said.