Rigathi Gachagua States Why He Skipped Ruto's Event In Nyeri: "Niliskia Kuna Cake"

• On Sunday, September 15, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua snubbed President William Ruto's function in Nyeri county
• The second in command jokingly said a colourful event in Kirinyaga forced him to skip Ruto's occasion
• The move by Gachagua came a few days after MPs allied to Ruto declared their support for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki

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

Kirinyaga - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua raised eyebrows after he skipped an event attended by President William Ruto in Nyeri county.

On Sunday, September 15, the president attended a function at AIPCA Central Western Archdiocese in Nyeri.

The second in command failed to show up despite the organisers reserving his seat next to the president.

Why did Rigathi Gachagua miss Ruto's event?

Gachagua. who attended centenary celebrations of Our Lady of Sorrows Baricho Catholic Parish in Kirinyaga county, downplayed his move to skip Ruto's event.

Speaking in Kirinyaga, the DP disclosed that he had intended to join Ruto in Nyeri but changed his mind after he was told a cake would be served in the celebrations to mark the church’s 100 years.

He stated that the event at Baricho Catholic Parish got so colourful that he decided to stay till the end.

“I was hurrying to attend another church in Nyeri, and then I heard that there was a cake. I wondered whether an event without eating a cake is complete. So I decided to wait for the cake,” Gachagua said.

How William Ruto criticised Gachagua

Speaking at the service in Nyeri, the president indirectly hit out at his deputy for allegedly engaging in early campaigns.

Ruto told Gachagua to avoid early campaigns and instead focus on delivering the government's agenda to Kenyans.

Ruto said the leadership in 2027 will ultimately be left to God and the people, emphasizing that campaigns and political discussions should take a backseat for now, given elections are still three years away.

The head of state argued that leaders cannot be elected and immediately start campaigning for a reelection without first delivering to the electorates.

Ruto asked leaders to focus on delivering the Kenya Kwanza manifesto as they promised during the campaigns.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke