- Rigathi Gachagua's office flagged as untrue the reports that he was working on his UDA exit plan in light of supposed frustrations
- Inside its May 29 issue, Daily Nation reported that Gachagua had engaged the leadership of the TND party for a possible political partnership
- Setting the record clear, the ODP clarified that no such plans were underway, thus taking offence at the paper for 'fabricating' a story
PAY ATTENTION: Register for a FREE Copywriting Workshop by TUKO.co.ke!
Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi- Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's office has strongly denounced the reports that he is eyeing a new political outfit outside the ruling UDA party.
On Wednesday, May 29, a local daily carried a story speaking to Gachagua's resolve to forge his political path outside UDA, where divisions have continued to rock.
Which party was Gachagua linked with?
This was in the face of the rifts lately evident in the ruling party, where elected leaders have taken sides, with a section launching fierce verbal attacks against the deputy president.
PAY ATTENTION: TUKO is in WhatsApp Channels now! Subscribe and read news in favourite messenger.
According to Daily Nation, Gachagua had been in talks with The New Democrats (TND) for a political partnership with his supposed likelihood of quitting UDA due to frustrations.
The paper said TND secretary general David Musembi confirmed to it that Gachagua's loyalists had represented him in meetings with the party officials for a possible deal.
"There have been talks, but there is nothing tangible to speak about at the moment. Maybe something will come out much later," Daily Nation quoted Musembi as saying.
Further, the daily reported that former president Mwai Kibaki's son Jimmy Kibaki, who recently resigned as TND's deputy party leader, also confided in it that he had heard of the deputy president's interest in the party after he quit.
A source also revealed to Daily Nation that Gachagua was seeking to partner with one-time ranking operatives in former president Uhuru Kenyatta's government.
"He has acquired a political party and recently approached a governor from Western Kenya to be part of his team. He even asked him to plan a meeting with a senior former Cabinet minister so that they can discuss future politics," said the source.
What did Gachagua's office say?
Addressing the claims on him seeking to coalesce outside UDA, Gachagua's office said they were far-fetched.
Njeri Rugene, the ODP's head of communication, flagged the reports as unfounded, calling out the media house for spinning malice -as news publication- to the detriment of the deputy president and his office.
She stated that Gachagua was the substantive deputy party leader of UDA, and that the assertions were aimed at undermining his roles in the party.
"This one-sided, false, and concocted story is laced with innuendos and malice. To associate His Excellency the Deputy President with another political party, especially one with questionable association can only have been done in bad faith, with the sole intention of undermining His Excellency's role as the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party. It is deliberately intended to disparage and attack the integrity of His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya," read Njeri's statement.
The ODP's communication head further accused the paper of imbalance in reporting, demanding an apology over the report.
"In this regard, we demand a retraction of this fabricated article and an apology with the same prominence," she added.
Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
Francis Atwoli Regrets Advising Eugene Wamalwa To Join Azimio: "Alikuwa Ally Wa Ruto"
Mother Of Lake Baringo Boat Tragedy Survivor Fears Losing 3 Children: "First-born Aliokolewa"
Video Of Man Running Through Flooded River That Had Swept Away Car Stuns Netizens: "Black Jesus"
