• He blamed the media for creating nonexistent tension between him and Ruto.
• He also claimed the media first manufactured a wedge between him and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed talk of a rift between him and President William Ruto and told off Mt Kenya politicians working behind the scenes to install a regional kingpin.
His remarks come in the backdrop of claims that his push for unity in Mt Kenya is because he wants to be the next kingpin.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service in Kiambu, Gachagua said he is not interested in the kingship post.
"I do not have time for that kingpinship nonsense, I don't have that time because I am very busy. I'm too busy. I chair Cabinet committees on behalf of the President. Every week I have meetings for seven hours with the Cabinet," he said.
"That debate should come to an end, let those who want to get that position to continue battling. The rest of us will sit with the President and help him achieve his agenda."
Gachagua said there is no provision for a kingpin position in the Constitution.
"This kingpin position, where is the office located, how much is the salary? If there are people who want that office, I'm not part of it because I am the Deputy President. My office is located in Harambee House and Karen. There is a salary and a job to do."
The DP said he did not call for the unity of the Mt Kenya region to rally behind him but rather behind President Ruto.
"When Mt Kenya region is strong behind Ruto, we have better leverage in his administration," he said.
Mt Kenya region leaders are eyeing the kingship mantle from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga in a past interview said Uhuru is expected to hand over the political mantle in December.
“We are talking to Uhuru as we speak, the date and time of the event will be announced soon. By the end of the year, mambo yatakuwa sawa (things will be okay),” he said.
Njenga, who’s one of the leaders behind the unity bid, added, “We want everybody to come, as long as they are from the Mountain.”
On Sunday Gachagua said the relationship between him and Ruto was free of tension and there was no misunderstanding between them.
He blamed the media for creating nonexistent tension between him and Ruto. He also claimed the media first manufactured a wedge between him and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
"A lot has been said between me and my boss William Ruto but I can assure you that what has been said isn't true but media creation," Gachagua said.
The news about the fallout between Ruto and Gachagua heightened last week during the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Gachagua was away in Germany and was not available to welcome the King.
The rumour was further fuelled when opposition leader Raila Odinga was invited to a state banquet at State House, and was seen smiling with Ruto and the king.
Gachagua has in the past attacked Raila, whom he has accused of plotting to destabilise the Kenya Kwanza government.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa maintained that the Kenya Kwanza administration is united and speaking with one voice.
He said the national government has not lost its track and they are committed to serving the people who elected them.
"We are speaking in one voice and there is nothing like division and we are committed to serving our people "he said.
Recently, Kikuyu Council of Elders national chairman Wachira Kiago endorsed Gachagua to unite the people of Mt Kenya.
He said Gachagua as the senior-most active politician holds the key to unity.
"Gachagua should rally the community towards one goal of unity and we really support it," Wachira said.
He further endorsed the handshake between Gachagua and Uhuru.
He described them as senior politicians and urged community to support their initiatives.
Other leaders who accompanied Gachagua includes MPs Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), Ann Wamuratha (Kiambu Woman Rep), Njuguna Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Mary Waithira (Maragua), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), among others.