Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday explained his absence from the national scene after media reports began speculating about his recent extended absence from the public limelight.
Speaking at the funeral of his former teacher, Julius Kano in Kirinyaga, Kirinyaga County, the Deputy President revealed that he had taken seven days off to pray and fast at the Mount Kenya Forest during which he cut off all lines of communication to everyone.
While making his remarks, Gachagua explained that his absence was well calculated and intentional.
He explained that he turned off his mobile phone as he took off time to meditate and think about the State of the Nation.
“When Mwalimu passed on when I had taken seven days away for prayers and fasting, meditation and reflection at the heart of Mount Kenya Forest, with no phone, no nothing and nobody could disturb me as I wanted to meditate on the State of the Nation and the people of this region,” Stated Gachagua
Gachagua elaborated that he only came out of the hibernation after his wife got a message out to him that his former teacher had passed on.
During the event, Gachagua emphasised that he was championing the unity of the Mount Kenya region.
“I am not that wise but I am also not stupid, there is something I know and that is why as the senior most politician in the region, I made the decision to unite the people of Kenya,” stated Gachagua
The Deputy President’s sentiments follow speculations of a widening rift within the Kenya Kwanza alliance.
Earlier media reports had speculated that there were growing tensions between the President and his Deputy with there being allegations that he had been unreachable through his cell phone.
However, State House through the spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, stated that there was no bad blood between the two leaders.
Additionally, Gachagua had previously opined that he had retreated to his home in Nyeri for a weeklong downtime to inspect the projects he initiated in his home county.
