Gachagua Responds To Aaron Cheruiyot's Media Cartel Remarks

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that he will continue discussing about the cartels, noting that some of them own media houses in Kenya.

Speaking during a joint interview with journalists on Sunday, March 12, Gachagua singled out two media stations as those owned by the cartels the Kenya Kwanza government has issues with.

While responding to Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot's remarks expressing President Ruto's confidence in crushing the cartels in Kenya but fearing that he might struggle with two he termed as extremely powerful; the Kenyan banks and the Kenyan media, he noted that in a political aspect, the President William Ruto-led government would crush them if they had close relations with the opposition in another election.

"Two media stations are owned by the cartels we are fighting and we are going to fight them because we have a responsibility as leaders to make sure that we protect the farmers and consumers from exploitation.

"We hammered the media 9 nil because the media was part of Azimio and we hammered Azimio and all its affiliates including the media. In another election, if the media is in bed with our opponents, we will crush them 'politically speaking'. The media sponsored headlines against Ruto and me," he stated.

Gachagua called upon media houses to be open to criticism, just as they are free to poke holes at the Kenya Kwanza government.

He however appreciated the growth of the freedom of the press with up to six media stations converging to interview him as compared to the times when Kenya had one media house.

"I request the media to be fair, just like you are free to criticize the government and to criticize anything under the sun, you too must allow people to criticize you, affirm you where you do well, encourage you and point out where you are failing.

"The Ruto administration believes in all freedoms including the freedom of the press. The fact that 6 media stations are here is a testimony of my faith in the freedom of the press. The media plays a critical role in informing and educating Kenyans," he stated.

Gachagua: Uhuru's Aides Requested For Ksh1.5 Billion

Gachagua further alleged that former President Uhuru Kenyatta's government had meddled in the finances of the Deputy President's office.

He added that former Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ukur Yatani in conjunction with former State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua cut all funds to the office of the DP under Uhuru's direction and for four years, President Ruto (then DP) fueled GK cars from his own pocket and bought tea for his office.

In response to reports of requesting Ksh1.5 billion from the Treasury after they were elected into office, Gachagua argued that he had never requested any funds for his office and that an unnamed media house was being used to divert the attention of Kenyans from serious matters.

"Rigathi Gachagua has never requested money for his office. Ukur Yatani former CS and Kinuthia Mbugua cut all funds to Ruto’s office. For four years he fuelled GK cars, paid electricity bills, and allowances to staff accompanying him," he said.

"When he went into office these two officers sought to undo the damage. That is what they were trying to reinstate. A certain media house was helping Yatani in diverting the attention of Kenyans from real issues."

He challenged the media to get back to their objective reporting following the elections, asking media houses to accept that Azimio la Umoja was beaten by Kenya Kwanza in the polls.

"We expect the media to know that the elections are over, Azimio lost, and we know you went to bed with them. Can you stop living in denial and get back to work and work professionally and objectively?" he posed.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a joint media interview at his private residence in Karen on Sunday, March 12. /TWITTER.RIGATHI GACHAGUA