We will not seek re-election if we fail - Gachagua
From left: Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Julius Bitok, who lost in the Uasin Gishu County gubernatorial race in the United Democratic Alliance party primaries, Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President William Ruto's running mate and Jonathan Bii, the UDA nominee for the seat hold hands after Mr Bitok and Mr Bii shook hands at a Kenya Kwanza economic forum for Uasin Gishu County held at Eldoret Sports Club on May 25, 2022.
Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua says they will only seek re-election based on how they will have performed in their first term in office.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu on Wednesday, Mr Gachagua said, unlike President Kenyatta and Dr Ruto’s broken promise of a 20-year rule, each with a 10-year term, they were only seeking a five-year commitment, only based on what they do in office.
“We are asking for five years so that we implement what we have promised. If we achieve it, we come back to you to say that we have achieved it, add us five years again. We do not want that lies of kumi-kumi (Ten-ten). We need five years first. The 10 years (kind of promise) has a lot of lies, deceit and conman ship. This contract is subject to renewal on performance and it is also subject to termination on non-performance,” Mr Gachagua said.
He asked United Democratic Alliance (UDA) supporters to ensure that in other seats such as ward rep, MP, woman representative and governor they elect individuals who will work for them and those who are conversant with the ‘bottom-up’ economic model.
Mr Gachagua asked Rift Valley residents not to elect anyone because of ethnic and regional considerations but rather based on their ability to revive the economy and people’s lives.
“Do not elect people because they come from your region or because the President is from our region, but we are really suffering and we are not supporting Ruto because he supported Uhuru but he has a plan to better our lives,” he said.
He also took a swipe at Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leaders, saying that they do not have any meaningful agenda for the country and their main concern is how to change the Constitution.
“We are signing economic charters with people across all counties, not like our opponents who are focused on constitutional review. That is why when Raila chose his running mate, he told her that the first role will be to change the Constitution,” said Mr Gachagua.
Mr Odinga said his running mate Ms Martha Karua’s first task will be overseeing what he described as “further work” on the Constitution.
“I want her to finalise the unfinished business of making our Constitution and I want this done because when Kibaki and I pushed for the 2010 Constitution, we admitted it is a work in progress,” said the former premier.
Editor’s note:An earlier version and headline of this story had suggested that Mr Gachagua said he had a five-year pact with Dr Ruto. We have since edited the story to provide clarity that he meant he and Dr Ruto want a five-year performance tagged pact with Kenyans.
