Why Gachagua’s Wife Cried Before Ruto

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, on Monday, claimed that Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi broke down after she was overwhelmed with emotions in a meeting held in Karen at the height of the 2022 elections.

In a video posted on his social media handles, the former lawmaker alleged that Pastor Dorcas, the spouse of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, shed tears as she pleaded with President William Ruto to pick her husband as his running mate.

According to Ngunjiri, the meeting was held at the official residence of the DP and was attended by five people. Other than Gachagua, his wife and the President, Ngunjiri, and Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro were also in attendance. 

The quartet reportedly visited Ruto to convince him to support Gachagua’s candidature for the DP role, arguing that he was the right choice at the time owing to the political dynamics in Mt Kenya. 

Gachagua then faced stiff competition from Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, who was the favourite candidate according to Kenya Kwanza insiders. 

“I am old, but I cried defending the DP. Gachagua’s wife cried, and I can say that Ruto heeded to our cries. We did not hate Interior CS Kithure Kindiki. However, to put the Mt Kenya vote in one basket, we had to settle on Gachagua,” he stated.

Ngunjiri’s revelation comes amid reports of a looming fallout between Ruto and Gachagua, despite the former not addressing the claims as the latter continues to refute them. 

The former MP, once a close ally of Ruto, further claimed that Gachagua was treading on unchartered waters as he had sidelined both Ndindi Nyoro and him (Ngunjiri). 

He clarified that he had no issues with being sidelined despite backing Gachagua for the DP role but warned him against having differences with his boss.

Ngunjiri, appointed Lands Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) by Ruto, advised Gachagua to solve his differences with the boss quietly, warning that such frictions would be costly to the Mt Kenya region.

“I also want to remind the DP that the most important thing after one is elected as President is to unite all Kenyans. The President cannot go somewhere and talk about shares. He is a symbol of unity.