New details have emerged regarding what transpired during the 17-hour meeting preceding the unveiling of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President William Ruto's running mate.
In an interview on Sunday, May 15, the Mathira Member of Parliament hinted that the meeting was just a mere formality to have everybody in the coalition on board.
He noted that the DP had already made up his mind but needed consensus to ensure that every Kenya Kwanza member was on the same page.
Ruto is said to have made up to 330 phone calls to individuals spread out in 11 counties before announcing Gachagua as his preferred choice.
At the meeting held in his Karen home, several leaders including National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo were in attendance. All the outgoing calls by the DP were put on the loudspeaker.
"Picking of the running mate has been a continuous process for the last six months and it has many parameters. There have been many things that the Deputy President has been quietly looking into. Mobilisation skills, civil service experience, ability to articulate issues, oratory skills, interpersonal skills and the process yesterday was just him to hear the leaders. The ultimate decision was his.
"Other than the listening to the MPs, the DP made 30 calls in each of the 11 counties and talked to different people to collect their views. He didn't want to make a mistake. He was making calls and putting them on speakerphone," explained Gachagua.
The calls were made to Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties among others.
Gachagua further indicated that all along, the DP knew his running mate choice but did not want to make such a 'momentous decision' at night hence the postponement to Sunday.
The event was also attended by his allies including Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Shollei, who is a close ally of the DP, corroborated with Gachagua's view noting that the discussion lasted long to get everyone on board.
She argued that Kenya Kwanza is a democratic union and to achieve unity, all members' views must be incorporated into a decision.
"A process of decision making by consensus and carrying everyone on board takes several hours. When it takes a short time, that is a dictatorship. This was democracy and teamwork," she stated.
Gachagua was picked by Ruto on Sunday as his running mate, edging out other competitors such as Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
