- The DP is known for his straight-talking approach to issues and has previously not shied away from speaking his mind during state events.
- At the same time, Gachagua used the speech to laud Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot's input in the legislature, saying he was bold.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua steered clear of political tackles during his Mashujaa Day speech in Kericho, saying he had been roaring when his boss was away.
The DP who was in Kericho while President William Ruto was overseas for an official visit to China this week, said he would not talk much when the head of state was around.
"I was roaring when you were away in China the whole of this week and now that you are here, I will not talk much, it is your day,'' Gachagua said in his short speech.
The DP is known for his straight-talking approach to issues and has previously not shied away from speaking his mind during state events.
Gachagua has in the past used national day celebrations to highlight how the government inherited a dilapidated economy and how the government is working hard to sort the mess left by Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The DP has also not minced words in hitting out at opposition leader Raila Odinga and his compatriots for disrupting the government and seeking 'selfish interests'.
However, the DP on Friday toned down and focused on welcoming the president and thanking voters for sending them to State House.
The DP instead thanked the Rift Valley voters for voting overwhelmingly of the Kenya Kwanza administration in the last elections.
He said it was because of the massive votes by the residents and other parts of the country that Kenya Kwanza was able to form government.
"Thank you, the people, of Kericho for helping us form government,'' Gachagua said.
At the same time, Gachagua used the speech to laud Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot's input in the legislature, saying he was bold.
He thanked the voters in Kericho for giving the country a 'bold and dependable' leader who has been instrumental in pushing for the government agenda.
"Thank you, the people, of Kericho for giving us a bold leader, the senate majority leader has played a key role in the health bills that the president assented to on Thursday,'' he said.
During the Madaraka Day Celebrations on June 1, Gachagua hit out at the opposition and the media for "distracting the President from his course of delivering his campaign promises".
Speaking at Embu Stadium, Gachagua urged the President to ignore the opposition and work towards delivering his agenda to Kenyans.
He asked the President to disregard those making noise about his plan for the country and further accused the media of fuelling "misleading information".
"These destructors gave you no chance to succeed. As they see you making a practical and pragmatic intervention, they are all over shouting and bringing all manner of propaganda which is being enabled by the press," Gachagua said.
''"And we don't mind because the press as you all know we're part and parcel of the Azimio brigade. And therefore your excellency we want to urge you to continue with confidence that the people of Kenya will give you the necessary support."