UDA presidential candidate William Ruto has defended his running mate Rigathi Gachagua after criticism of being unsuitable for the office of the Deputy President.
According to the deputy president, the perception of Gachagua being unqualified was propagated by some jealous Kenya Kwanza politicians who were eyeing the running mate position.
He defended the Mathira MP as the best suitable for the position - even referencing reports that he lost the electoral college vote where his own MPs had favoured Tharaka Nithi Senator Kindiki Kithure.
“When I settled on him as my running mate, he was being opposed on grounds that he is very strong. I needed someone who was soft and lowly placed in stature. I insisted that I needed that strong person.
"His competitors are suffering from an inferiority complex, and once they see another person going up the ladder of influence, they start fearing him. I am not like that. I seek that we succeed together and we can only collectively succeed together if we unite to deliver on our mission," Ruto stated.
The DP spoke days after critics within Kenya Kwanza opined that the Mathira MP was the weak link and that he was costing the coalition votes.
Tujibebe Wakenya party leader William Kabogo and his Chama Cha Kazi party leader Moses have accused the UDA running mate of being divisive, dictatorial, abrasive and arrogant.
In his speech, Ruto lauded Gachagua for his toughness and sent the strongest signals that he was not willing to negotiate with other coalition partners over his stance on UDA's strength within the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua has been vocal in campaigning for UDA candidates and has urged voters to only elect the party's candidates. This has rattled the coalition partners who also want their parties to win seats in the region.
Kuria, Kabogo and Kiunjuri argued that Gachagua's formula applies only in Mt Kenya while in Western and Coast regions UDA is supporting Amani National Congress (ANC), Ford-Kenya and the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) candidates.
Kabogo asked Ruto, and his running mate to refrain from taking sides and campaigning for UDA candidates.
He asked the DP to emulate Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga, who despite being the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, does not endorse candidates from his party and instead asks the electorate to vote for whoever they will deem fit.
The three have expressed their frustrations with Gachagua and hinted that they could walk out of the coalition if their grievances are not addressed.
