DP Rigathi: Ruto's major Mt. Kenya thanksgiving to start in Githurai and end in Sagana

A file photo of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing mourners during the funeral service of former New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Chairman Eliud Matu Wamae at Giakaibei Catholic Church in Mathira, Nyeri county on December 22, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that Mt. Kenya is planning a major thanksgiving ceremony for President William Ruto's win in the August 9, 2022 presidential election.

Votes from Mt. Kenya region accounted for more than 50 per cent of the president's 7.18 million votes.

Speaking at the Nanyuki Stadium on Sunday, January 8, 2023, DP Rigathi Gachagua said the president, during the thanksgiving, will have the chance to express his gratitude to the people of Mt. Kenya for voting for him.

"The procession will start at Githurai, followed by Ruiru and then Juja, River Chania; where we'll hold special prayers, and thereafter proceed to Kenol, Maragua, Murang'a, Sagana, Kagio, Kutus, Kerugoya, Kagumo, Kiangai, Karatina, Nyeri, Chaka and then finish off at the State Lodge Sagana," Gachagua said during an interdenominational prayer service at the Nanyuki Stadium.

"Our meeting at the Sagana State Lodge will be referred to as the Sagana One Convention of the Kenya Kwanza administration," said Gachagua.

"During the convention, we'll speak about roads, water connectivity, tea and coffee prices, general agriculture and other development projects," added the deputy president.

Gachagua did not reveal the official dates for the thanksgiving.

While offering advice to President Ruto, Gachagua asked the Head of State not to delegate his (Ruto's) key duties as president because the moment he does that "you'll get stranded".

"Don't delegate your work. If you do, you'll get stranded. That happened in the previous administration," said Gachagua, adding: "When things get rough, it's you who Kenyans will ask the difficult questions, not the ministers that you have appointed."

In his speech, the deputy president also recounted UDA's victory against President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition in the August 9, 2022 presidential election.

"They threw all manner of things at us, including attempting to coerce me and several others to abandon you (Ruto), but we stood our ground. At the end of the day, it became clear to them that God neither eats ugali nor sleeps in Kayole," said Gachagua.

The DP said he is confident in President Ruto's leadership.

"The president has put in place a good foundation, and the work will speak for itself. I recently prayed for him while facing Mt. Kenya. I asked God to give him the courage and wisdom to lead this country," said Gachagua.

President Ruto, in his address at the Nanyuki Stadium on Sunday, said DP Gachagua will, in March 2023, preside over the issuance of title deeds in Laikipia County after the respective titling processes are completed.

This, he said, will help end perennial land conflict and avert fights between ranchers and residents over pasture.

"We'll work with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to ensure that game parks in Laikipia County are fenced off to ward off wild animals from destroying the crops in your farms. I want to assure you that we'll meet our side of the bargain as leaders of government," said Ruto.

The Head of State also ordered the Interior ministry to deploy 360 more police reservists to Laikipia, and that all ranchers be required to fence off their land.