Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday, May 15, announced Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate ahead of the August 9 polls.
In a press briefing at his Karen residence, Ruto stated that he had considered the political skills and ability to deal with the country's economic issues and capacity in decision-making.
The DP hailed Gachagua as a skilled debater and talented political operative who had risen through the ranks to become the best candidate for the second-in-command in the Kenya Kwanza formation.
The decision comes after an intense day of negotiations that saw Rigathi square it out with career legal scholar and Tharaka Nithi Prof Kithure Kindiki.
"We had a 17-hour marathon meeting, where we had the opportunity to interrogate many issues that are of concern and that are in the frame and context of Kenya Kwanza."
"It is about the people and the people issues, particularly the economy. As you are aware we have in the last several weeks admitted new members and they have come with new insights," he stated.
Ruto also commended other potential running mates who he described as formidable candidates who made it to the shortlist.
They included Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi,Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
"I want to tell my younger brother Ndindi Nyoro, you have a bright future ahead of you and we shall work together. Alice Wahome is among the formidable women we have in Kenya Kwanza. Thank you my sister, the future is wide open.
Let me appreciate my sister, the one and the only Mumbi Waiguru who missed it by a whisker. Governor Anne Waiguru, I want to tell you from where I sit, the future is yours," stated Ruto.
He lauded Gachagua as a political symbol who espouses the hustler and bottom-up narrative that forms the hallmark of Kenya Kwanza's campaign.
"In the end, the consensus pointed out an individual who scored excellent points in every parameter. A fantastic grassroots mobiliser and disciplined tactical operative. A successful politician of tremendous resolve and fierce fighter for the right cause and indefatigable champion of the betrayed, downtrodden, despised and ignored."
"A living example of a true hustler who rose from the hardships of our freedom struggle to the pinnacle of professional and political success," the DP noted.
Ruto, while handing Gachagua his first assignment, appointed him alongside Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria to lead the economic team that would streamline the economic blueprint of the coalition.
"I am looking forward to you and the team delivering the agenda that we have issued out. You know what we need to do and you have the understanding and the knowledge of the project."
"You will provide for us a context on how we will have the charters from all the counties. Kenya Kwanza intends to sign a charter with all the counties on their priority agenda so that we hit the road on day one," he stated.
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