Embakasi North MP James Gakuya on Tuesday revealed that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was not Mt Kenya region's first choice to join William Ruto as his running mate.
The lawmaker who is part of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party revealed that the region's leaders and elders had their sights on Ndindi Nyoro.
He further noted that during a retreat in Nanyuki, they sat Nyoro down and asked him if he wanted the position.
The Kiharu member of Parliament, however, turned the opportunity down forcing the group to turn to Rigathi Gachagua.
"Ndindi was in the same team with Honourable Rigathi and we asked him when the President was looking for a running mate, 'Are you ready Ndindi to go for the running mate then we play the mechanism and ask the President to give you the support from Murang'a area?" Gakuya stated
"We were in Nanyuki and he stated clearly that he was not interested and he just wanted to go to Kiharu and that was when we moved to the other candidate."
In the run-up to the 2022 General Election, Gachagua was unveiled as Ruto's running mate and the duo won the popular vote 7,176,141 (50.49 percent) ahead of their closest competitors Raila Odinga and Martha Karua who got 6,942,930 votes (48.85 percent).
Gachagua's choice was, however, not devoid of its challenges which pitted the DP against Kithure Kindiki who was reportedly angling for the same position.
Kindiki was, however, appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, one of the most powerful dockets in Ruto's Cabinet.
Gakuya also hit out at the Head of State accusing him of alienating Gachagua who he argues remains to be the region's kingpin.
The lawmaker, as a result, challenged Ruto to end his partnership with the DP if it was no longer beneficial for both. This comes after rumours of a fallout between the two leaders swirled for which Gachagua retreated to Nyeri where he underwent intense fasting for seven days.
"The counter is simple, it is either the marriage materialised and moved on or if there is difficulties, people part. It is not cast on stone that it is permanent. There is no permanent enmity or friendship in politics," Gakuya argued.
"If you think that (the DP) has become a burden, then there comes an element of betrayal, at that time, you decide what is next."
In his opinion, Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch revealed that the alliance between Ruto and Gachagua was forced.
"The choice of Gachagua as Ruto’s running mate was forced and not made out of free will. Uhuru warned Kenyans that he knows Ruto more than we do, and there’s a late realization of who we are dealing with," he stated.
