- Gachagua on Friday joined mourners during the burial of Kelvin Kiptum in Elgeyo Marakwet.
- On Thursday, Gachagua held a consultative meeting with top government officials on how to deal with illicit brews.
Image: PCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a busy week where he joined his boss, William Ruto, for a second National Executive retreat in Naivasha.
The three-day retreat included all Kenya Kwanza Members of Parliament. During the retreat, the top government leaders urged both the executive and the legislature to focus on working together.
The meeting was part of the President’s strategy to build synergy between the executive and the legislature as he pushed to ensure full implementation of his Bottom-up Economic Model.
“The People's representatives are a key cog in our undented resolve to improve the lives of our people through full implementation of the Plan,’’ Gachagua said on his X account.
Gachagua said the meeting had seen Ruto firm up his administration's determination to work closely with elected leaders for faster realisation of the Government's agenda.
The retreat started on Monday and went through Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Gachagua dismissed remarks by former President Uhuru Kenyatta that leaders are working while consistently looking at the rearview mirror.
Speaking during the opening of a Joint National Executive and Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group consultative meeting in Naivasha, Gachagua urged the president to keep looking in the rearview mirror.
"I heard somebody saying that you shouldn't look at the rear mirror. I want to encourage you to keep looking at the rear mirror because the inventor of the motor vehicle was not mad by putting the mirror there," the Deputy President said.
"Continue looking at the rear mirror to ensure that no Kenyan is left behind."
Gachagua emphasized that everyone in Kenya should be included as the government progresses, stressing the importance for leaders to look back and consider the past.
On Wednesday, Gachagua, along with other government officials, concluded a three-day retreat in Naivasha. They also had discussions with Members of Parliament during this time.
“The President has set us on the right path to economic growth and development because of progressive policies geared towards improving the lives of the people,’’ he said.
“The challenge lies squarely on us whom he has trusted to implement the Government's agenda to work harder and be focused for quicker and fruitful realisation of the Administration's goal," the DP added.
On Thursday, Gachagua had a meeting with Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindike (Interior and Administration of National Government), Njuguna Ndung'u (National Treasury), and Susan Nakhumicha.
The discussion also included Attorney General Justin Muturi and other important government officials, including Principal Secretaries. They gathered to plan how to address the issue of illicit brews.
“In a week, we will announce Multi-agency and Multistakeholder measures the Government will take to decisively deal with this menace,’’ Gachagua said.
“In a week, we will announce multi-agency and multistakeholder measures the government will take to decisively deal with this menace," he added
Also present were KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, Nacada Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa, Kebs Director Quality Assurance and Inspection Geoffrey Muriira and Anti-Counterfeit Agency Executive Director Mbugua Njoroge.
Others were Julius Kaluai of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Jane Njiru of the Veterinary Medicine Directorate, and Nema’s Catherine Mbaisi among other officials from relevant agencies.
The country is still reeling from the loss of at least 17 people in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, who died after imbibing illicit brew at a local bar.
Six of the victims died at home while the rest succumbed in hospitals. At least four others lost sight.
On Friday Gachagua was in Elgeyo Marakwet for the burial of World Marathon record holder Kevin Kiptum.
He accompanied the President to the event where they were joined by other government officials.