The Mt Kenya Times 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Gachagua has also made great progress in undertaking the other role of resolving the conflicts bedeviling some of the county governments and ensuring a seamless working relationship between the two levels of the government.
- After the retreat, he immediately invited the Meru county assembly members to a meeting at his home in Karatina. The agenda was meant to find ways of breaking the stalemate between them and thier governor Kawira Mwangaza.
- Reportedly, the DP gave each time to speak out openly about this matter.
- After hearing their grievances, Gachagua told them. The wish of the President and myself is to see this impasse being resolved with speed. This is because we do not want to see the people of Meru lagging behind on matters of development.
During the recent cabinet retreat, President William Ruto assigned roles to the big three state officials-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Attorney General Justin Muturi.
This was a move in the right direction because it was meant to avert friction and ensure the Kenya Kwanza government was reading from the same script.
For those who have read the Constitution, the holder of the Office of Deputy President shall serve as the principal assistant to the President.
Gachagua has so far proved that he really understood his job descriptions very well.
At the retreat, he was given two main assignments.
One, to champion enactment of radical reforms in Agricultural sector that would turn around the fortunes of coffee, tea and milk farmers.
The DP’s passion for the reforms is not in doubt.
We recall that during the campaign he convened several meetings with Dr Ruto’s diehard allies-the leaders of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from Mount Kenya- whose agenda was to craft Economic Charter for the region.
He later led this group to present this charter to Dr Ruto who promised to implement the proposed reforms to the letter and spirit.
Two, to serve as a linkage between the national and county governments.
Regarding the plight of the farmers, he has so far fired warning shots to the mafia cartels and brokers eating the sweat of farmers.
We know you and we are coming for you. This time you are not survive.
As an indication he is appreciating his efforts, Dr Ruto was quoted a few days ago as saying.
I’m hearing some people interpreting my decision to give my deputy that job as setting a trap for him.
This is cheap propaganda, empty and idle talk.
If he fails, do you think I will continue standing?
The answer is no. So, I fully support him to succeed.
In the countdown to the polls, Dr Ruto reiterated. I know the problem you have been encountering. You toil in your farms but you don’t get anything in return.
If I win, I will ensure that you have money in your pockets.
Gachagua has also made great progress in undertaking the other role of resolving the conflicts bedeviling some of the county governments and ensuring a seamless working relationship between the two levels of the government.
After the retreat, he immediately invited the Meru county assembly members to a meeting at his home in Karatina. The agenda was meant to find ways of breaking the stalemate between them and thier governor Kawira Mwangaza.
Reportedly, the DP gave each time to speak out openly about this matter.
After hearing their grievances, Gachagua told them. The wish of the President and myself is to see this impasse being resolved with speed. This is because we do not want to see the people of Meru lagging behind on matters of development.
In the next meeting, I will invite the Governor. She will tell us her side of the story and I’m sure we shall come up an amicable solution.
Politics and election campaigns are over. As leaders, we should always strive to fulfill the pledges we made to our people.
The leadership of Kericho county is also being engulfed in similar crisis.
This would draw the attention of the President. During an Interdenominational Prayer meeting in Bomet county, he rushed out at the MCAs, telling them. “Shame on you. We will not allow you to block the boat from within. The people of Kericho want services”.
Soon after, the DP kicked off the talks aimed at reconciling them. After the first meeting with them at his official office in Nairobi, the DP was upbeat when he emerged to brief the media.
While being flanked by the MCAs, he stated.
We have heard good and candid deliberations. We have made a breakthrough in most of issues at the core of their disagreements.
Everything is fine. These leaders have agreed to put aside thier political differences and focus on the bigger picture of serving the good people of Kericho. We wish them well.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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