Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has described the appointment of UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua as a big blessing to the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
While appearing on KTN News' Checkpoint on Sunday, June 12, Mucheru admitted that he was part of the 'Give Gachagua the mic' gang owing to the running mate's gaffes.
He argued that Gachagua was an asset to Azimio given that many of the blunders in his speeches have presumably won Azimio more votes without much effort.
For instance, Mucheru discredited the Mathira MP's argument that big companies should be broken up so that the power should be handed back to the people.
"He is a friend of mine, we come from Nyeri. I can say he has been a great blessing to us in Azimio in the things that he says. These ICT people, when you are telling them you are going to break up a (communications company) because big companies are bad, what kind of thinking is that.
"I know he probably doesn't believe it but he is saying it. To claim that what we want is open state lodge for rice, meat and soda," he stated.
Mucheru argued that Gachagua had misplaced his priorities and was ignoring pertinent issues such as advocating for more roads and hospitals.
"For us in Nyeri, people see he is not going to ask for more roads and hospitals. He is a blessing to us," added the CS.
It seems every time Gachagua speaks, he attracts backlash from some quarters for making controversial statements, some of which touch on the very voters he is looking to win over.
At the end of May, a clip emerged of the politician admitting that he and the Mount Kenya region supported the DP because of their love of money.
He argued 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 stated at the time.
Some UDA leaders were irked by the comments and urged him to filter his speeches while Azimio la Umoja had a field day accusing the DP of enticing Mt Kenya leaders with the promise of handouts.
Recently, Gachagua promised to abolish blue police uniforms and equated them as fit for PCEA Women' Guild. A comment that irked the clergy and women alike.
He has also come under fire after he urged the police to release UDA supporters who will be in custody on August 9 - promising to reward the cops with university education so they could get what he described as proper employment.
