Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua has stated that Deputy President William Ruto's running mate position has been reserved for the Mount Kenya region.
Speaking during a panel on Citizen TV's Day Break on Monday, February 28, 2022, Gachagua stated that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will hold its National Delegates Conference (NDC) on March 15, where they will unveil the DP as presidential candidate.
The Mathira MP clarified that the second in command will be the Kenya Kwanza Alliance flag bearer, amid the endorsements of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and FORD-Kenya's Moses Wetangula as the presidential candidates for their respective parties.
Rigathi Gachagua – MP, Mathira: DP Ruto’s running mate will come from the mountain…Musalia Mudavadi is subject to discussion #DayBreak@SamGituku pic.twitter.com/vwS5LfB601
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) February 28, 2022
Gachagua stated that before entering into an agreement with DP Ruto, Mudavadi and Wetangula were briefed on what to expect.
"As far as I am concerned, the presidential candidate will be William Ruto. The running mate will come from the Mountain at the right time," he stated.
The lawmaker stated that the role of Mudavadi and Wetangula in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance will be discussed and revealed at the appropriate time.
"When they came for discussion. We were very forthright with Mudavadi and Wetangula because we are very honest people. They could not be running from Raila Odinga because of conmanship they come to use we cheat them.
"They were told already we have had a discussion, the running mate will go to Mount Kenya, it is good to know, and they came with that knowledge," Gachagua stated.
The legislator confirmed that the two leaders will have a role to play in the DP Ruto team but will not be the running mates.
Gachagua further criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga for what he termed as political conmanship.
The MAthira MP has been touted as one of the possible DP Ruto running mates, however, a recent poll placed him behind Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru as the potential running mate.
