Editor's Review

Deputy president-elect Rigathi Gachagua has assured President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya Kwanza government's commitment to taking care of him in his retirement.

Deputy-president elect Rigathi Gachagua has restated the commitment by Kenya Kwanza government to accord outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta respect and privileges befitting a former head of state.

The president is yet to issue any statement regarding the outcome of the 2022 presidential election which ended with Deputy President William Ruto as the president-elect.

Speaking on Sunday during a thanksgiving service at the Gathiruini PCEA church in Githunguri, Kiambu county, Rigathi allayed fears of the outgoing first family being tormented after the president fell out with his deputy who is now the president-elect.

"The commitment by the new government will be that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family will be respected and taken care of. Our president will be accorded the same respected as the late Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Moi, as he embarks on his retirement" said Gachagua.

Deputy president-elect Rigathi Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza government would take care of outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO: COURTESY.

The president, in the lead-up to the August 9 General Election, drummed up support for Raila Odinga, his one-time political arch-rival.

By declaring support for Raila, Uhuru reneged on the agreement he had earlier with his deputy.

While jointly seeking the presidency in 2013, Uhuru and Ruto vowed to work together, the "yangu kumi, yako kumi" declaration becoming the basis of their political partnership.

Uhuru would hold the mantle for ten years before backing his deputy.

The arrangement was however quashed in 2018 when Raila and Uhuru realised a political truce, pushing Ruto to the periphery.

The Uhuru-Raila truce culminated in the head of state endorsing the ODM boss as his preferred successor.

In the 2022 vote, even with Uhuru's backing, Raila was trounced by Ruto who garnered 7,176,141 votes.

The Azimio leader scored 48.8 per cent, representing 6,,942,930 votes.