By Sarah Omondi
Deputy President William Ruto has picked Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his deputy in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
MPs Ndindi Nyoro and Alice Wahome of Kiharu and Kandara as well as National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki had also been shortlisted.
While unveiling the first term MP as Kenya Kwanza running mate, Dr Ruto hailed Prof Kindiki, who skipped the meeting and emerged first runners up, for having brought in a lot of experience to the team.
The DP said consensus pointed to Mr Gachagua who he said scored highly in every parameter and was a living example of a true hustler.
“An astute debater with persuasive abilities and a grassroot mobiliser. A successful politician and business person. A fearless fighter and an indefatigable champion,” he said.
Promising to appoint 10 women into his cabinet if elected to office in August elections, the presidential aspirant he will on the first day in office sign an executive order to give clear responsibility to his deputy.
The duties will include chairing cabinet meetings, overseeing implementation of cabinet decisions and coordinating planning and supervision of development projects.
The order, Dr Ruto said, will enable his deputy serve Kenyans better.
Mr Gachagua has together with Chama cha Kazi’s Moses Kuria been tasked to lead the Kenya Kwanza economic team.
Ruto was to announce his deputy around 3PM Saturday but the process was pushed following resentment from Mr Gachagua’s camp after reports indicated that he had settled for Kindiki.
Kenya Kwanza leaders were holed up in a meeting for nearly 20 hours as they sought to solve a stalemate over who should have been picked between Kindiki and Gachagua which threatened to divide the camp.
At one point, Prof Kindiki and Mr Gachagua drove out the Karen meeting before making their way back about an hour later.
