A video of Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua admitting that he and the Mount Kenya region supported presidential flagbearer Deputy President William Ruto because of their love of money went viral amid controversy over his selection.
Speaking during a forum in Nandi County, Gachagua declared that money was a factor in the DP breaking the deadlock of the region that previously supported President Uhuru Kenyatta - Ruto's ally-turned-foe.
The Mathira MP explained that Ruto had a plan that would enable the residents of the vote-rich region make more money, prompting leaders from the region to back his bid.
"Money is a good thing, it is the key to the heart and the breaker of the Mountain, and because we in the region love money, we chose to support Ruto. He has a plan on how we will get the money, and anyone who has a plan on how we will get money becomes our friend," he reiterated.
Gachagua, who is on a solo tour of the Rift Valley region, opined that the residents had not yet fully appreciated the value of money and promised to educate them while on the tour.
"I am impressed by how your voices shout when saying pesa mfukoni (money in the pocket), and the longer I stay here with you, I will start teaching you about money because it is a good thing.
"All these women you see here who have begun ageing, when they get money, they will become young again. And when the men get money, the respect they have in their homes increases," he chided.
His remarks irked a section of UDA and Kenya Kwanza supporters who opined that the lawmaker filtered some of his comments. On the other part, Azimio has used the clip to incriminate Ruto, accusing him of enticing Mt Kenya leaders with the promise of handouts.
Notably, this is not the first time that the UDA presidential running mate has been questioned over his remarks.
Gachagua shocked many when he declared that votes from Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka's Lower Eastern, would not benefit DP Ruto much.
"Let us speak the truth, votes from Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos only total about 1.5 million. Can those votes really account for anything?" He posed in a video that has since gone viral.
Even as tension continued brewing in Kenya Kwanza over his surprise selection as a running mate, and not Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, he boldly told of those opposed to him, likening the selection to picking a wife.
"You cannot stop people from saying what they want, a running mate is like a wife. People cannot cast votes in order for you to get you a wife because, in the end, you are the one to live with her," he stated.
Another statement that left the public in disbelief is when he asked his boss, to follow in the footsteps of the late Daniel Moi and make the Sagana State Lodge open to the public. He opined that a feast with rice and beef on the menu would appeal to the Mount Kenya people.
In addition, a declaration that bigger corporates should be disbanded and the proceeds are used to sponsor youth-owned enterprises.
The gaffes have made Gachagua a favourite target from Azimio supporters - with claims that some in the Kenya Kwanza coalition are becoming frustrated by the need to defend and clarify the speeches made by their running mate.
