Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has revealed details of a tense 20-hour meeting that led to Rigathi Gachagua’s selection as William Ruto’s running mate in 2022. The revelation comes amid growing tensions between the former Deputy President and the current administration following his recent impeachment.
According to Sudi’s account in a self-recorded video, the United Democratic Alliance conducted multiple rounds of voting to select President Ruto’s running mate. The process involved several prominent Mount Kenya politicians, including Ndindi Nyoro, Kimani Ichung’wah, Moses Kuria, William Kabogo, Ann Waiguru, Cecily Mbarire, Kithure Kindiki, and Mithika Linturi.
The marathon meeting stretched into the early hours, with Gachagua consistently receiving only four votes in each round. Most participants supported Kithure Kindiki for the position. “They voted in the first round, and you got four votes. Then a second and third time, where you got the same number of votes,” Sudi stated
The voting process reached a deadlock at 3 AM when frustrated participants asked President Ruto to make the final decision. Despite the overwhelming support for other candidates, particularly Kindiki, Ruto chose to proceed with Gachagua as his running mate.
Sudi dismissed Gachagua’s recent claims about helping Ruto ascend to power through Mount Kenya support. The MP pointed out that Gachagua only joined the presidential ticket three months before the elections, while campaign strategies had been developed long before.
The revelations emerged following Gachagua’s recent meetings with opposition leaders, where he criticized the current administration. Sudi further addressed Gachagua’s involvement in various controversies during his tenure, including the release of contaminated sugar and interference with mosquito net tenders.
These disclosures shed new light on the political maneuvering that preceded the 2022 elections and the current political tensions. The former Deputy President has since launched multiple criticisms against the government, particularly regarding projects like the Adani deal and the Affordable Housing Programme.
By Newsmedia