Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, January 29, revealed his role in the new coalition between Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua noted that he was among the people from Mt Kenya region who were involved when the deal was been formalized between ANC, FORD-Kenya and United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The legislator also pointed out that Ruto had informed them of the pact beforehand and they had given their approval before the pact was made public.
"The day Ruto started talking to Mudavadi and Wetangula, he informed us as representatives of the Mt Kenya region. We were there and we were happy with the deliberations.
"We understand the need for unity as we look forward to forming the next government with over 70 percent of the popular vote," the MP stated.
His sentiments came in the midst of claims that Gachagua, fronted as the frontrunner in Ruto's search for a running mate, had been left out of the deal in favour of Mudavadi.
According to allies of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Mt Kenya region, Mudavadi would only accept the running mate position in order to enter into a coalition with the Deputy President.
"Musalia Mudavadi should stop this talk of being on the ballot, he will deputise Ruto because the DP has served the maximum two terms. The Mt Kenya leaders who have been taunting themselves as running mates have been relegated to the periphery," Kieni MP Kanini Kega pointed out.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth also hit out criticised the ANC-UDA partnership after it emerged that Mudavadi may have negotiated for a power-sharing deal instead of the running mate position.
"They have been accusing others of looking for seats but it has been revealed that they are the ones sharing seats. If Mudavadi only wanted Matiang'i's seat, he should have come to Raila and asked for it," Kenneth noted.
The news comes as DP Ruto, Mudavadi and Wetangula's new pact caused a political storm as the country gears towards the General Election.
Dubbed as the Mudavadi earthquake, the announcement of the new pact at the Bomas of Kenya led to the disintegration of One Kenya Alliance after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his KANU counterpart Gideon Moi walked out of the event.
