Rigathi Gachagua Says He's Not Aware Ruto Is Flying To US: "I've Not Talked To Him"

• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed he was unaware of President William Ruto's departure to the US for the 79th UN General Assembly
• The DP mentioned he had not spoken to Ruto in the last 24 hours, further demonstrating the growing rift between them
• Gachagua stated that Ruto had not communicated his travel plans, despite the DP being the president's chief assistant
• The DP expressed uncertainty about Ruto's exact departure time, highlighting the two leaders' lack of communication

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again demonstrated the widening rift between him and President William Ruto.

The head of state has flown to the US to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

During an interview on Citizen TV, the second in command revealed he's not spoken to the president in the last 24 hours.

Gachagua demonstrated his lack of knowledge about Ruto's travel to the US despite the country falling under his stewardship while the president was away.

The DP explained that Ruto had not communicated to him about his latest trip.

"I am told he's leaving the country, but I'm not aware of the time, so I've not been informed as of this evening...I've not talked to him today. He'll talk to me in his own time. As for the time he's leaving, I am not aware. I've not talked to him today. No he's not communicated to me officially," Gachagua said.

Why Gachagua is angry at Ruto

The second in command explicitly spoke about the humiliations meted out to him within the presidency.

He implicated operatives at State House Nairobi whom he accused of standing in his way to deliver on his mandate.

The deputy president decried being despised by Cabinet secretaries and other juniors who have exploded into an- all-out war against him.

In an appeal to the president, Gachagua reminded him of the vow he made when they got into office after the 2022 vote.

He recalled that Ruto promised not to allow denigration on him, as was the case during former president Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure when the current president was humiliated.

Why Gachagua doesn't attend presidential functions

In the same interview, Gachagua sought to absolve himself of accusations of being a no-show in presidential functions.

He revealed that he was kicked out of a WhatsApp group where the events in Ruto's diary are outlined.

Gachagua said he now shows up in events he has only been invited to, as he no longer can align his diary with that of the president, having been unceremoniously removed from the foregoing WhatsApp forum.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.