Gachagua Responds To Ruto Cutting Down His Powers In Cabinet Reshuffle
Political fanfare and speculation emerged after President Ruto allocated Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi more roles in which he now doubles as the Foreign Affairs docket, assuming functions transferred to DP Gachagua's office earlier this year.
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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressed his relationship with President William Ruto after the Cabinet reshuffle that occurred on Wednesday, October 4 saw the Head of State reduce his junior's powers.
Political fanfare and speculation emerged after President Ruto allocated Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi more roles in which he now doubles as the Foreign Affairs docket, assuming functions transferred to DP Gachagua's office earlier this year.
In March 2023, Ruto allocated Gachagua some foreign policy roles including directing engagements between international organisations and missions and government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), which Mudavadi now takes over.
Prime CS, Musalia Mudavadi, speaking during the launch of Dr Barrack Muluka's book on September 29, 2023. /MUSALIA MUDAVADI
Before Gachagua was given the roles, it had been a reserve of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to run the country's relations with foreign missions and organisations. Diplomatic missions had been asked to work directly with the Office of the Deputy President, roles that were revoked in the surprise reshuffle.
Speaking to Inooro FM on Friday, October 6, Gachagua however downplayed a power play pitting him against Mudavadi.
"Ruto and I always keep talking, if you see the work he has given me, it's a lot hence there's no power play between Mudavadi and I. If I see an area is not going well, I approach him and we talk about these things," he said.
"President William Ruto and I are joined at the hip. We talk on a daily basis. My relationship with the President is top-notch. He has mandated me with a great responsibility because he understands my output. We shall continue working for Kenyans until the end of our term."
Gachagua, during the one-hour interview, also spoke regarding his relationship with Public Service CS Moses Kuria, stating that his reshuffle from the Trade docket to Public Service was a normal reassignment of work to enhance service delivery.
On Thursday, October 5, Kuria hinted at Gachagua playing a key role in his kicking out from the Trade Ministry by posting on X an uncaptioned photo of the DP, having collided for weeks.
The post was made a few minutes after Kuria posted a gospel song remarking God will see him through his tribulations, coming moments after he was moved to the Public Service from Trade, something experts argued was a demotion.
"I don't know because he was here recently, because we had called priests to bless the Mt Kenya community and we had no problem then. He is our son. So, I don't know what could be wrong, " Gachagua noted.
"In fact, his docket is important because it touches on government delivery unit so we know he will perform. When he didn't win the 2022 elections, Ruto and I gave him a job in our Cabinet. We have no problem with him, as he was just reassigned to another ministry. If there's an issue, I will call him and tell him that the job he has been given is of importance. All these children are ours."
Speaking about the effect of the reshuffle on the politics of Mt Kenya region, he said that the dockets that were led by appointees from the Mt Kenya region were not given to people outside the region.
“There is no one who was removed from office. There is no need to read too much into the President's reshuffle," he reassured.
DP Gachagua urged President Ruto’s appointees to work hard and not embarrass their appointing authority and the Kenyans who support them.
"I kindly ask those who were given new mandates to work with diligence and commitment and ensure that their work is visible to the public,” he urged.
