Gachagua MIA To Protest Cancelled Heli Rides

Mangele · May 18, 2024, 9:34pm

Deputy President Gachagua Missing in Action: Unseen in Public, Phone Switched Off

written by Paul Nyongesa May 17, 2024

Member of Parliament for Manyatta in the National Assembly, Sylvanus Osoro, has responded to Kenyans who have been asking about the whereabouts of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking on Saturday, Osoro stated that Gachagua’s absence from the political scene is because he took some time off work to rest.

“The Deputy President also needs to rest. He has been working for some time and now he is taking a break for about a week, let him rest,” the Member of Parliament for Mugirango South said.

Osoro further stated that the Deputy President will be in Nyeri on Sunday and will address any questions they may have.

“I hear he will be in Nyeri tomorrow, he will speak for himself. For now, it has been very difficult for him.”

However, Osoro reminded political leaders to refrain from being misused as a means to an end in politics.

Although he did not direct the message to anyone in particular, he emphasized that they must refrain from personal politics and focus on development.

“The most important thing for us in political positions is to avoid deceit in order to live. It is important for us to avoid discussions of personalities and focus on development,” Osoro added.

His remarks come after some Kenyans questioned the whereabouts of the Deputy President following his absence from several important duties in the past few weeks.

Some media outlets also reported that he has missed at least 11 crucial government functions.

The President and the Deputy President have been receiving international guests and attending numerous events together, including county tours.

Details are now emerging that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua might not be seeing eye to eye with President William Ruto.

This comes as the DP has conspicuously missed 11 state functions, including the recent one when the president hosted Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, which he would not have missed previously as he is typically characterized by being side by side with the Head of State.

Rigathi was last seen in public last Monday.

He also missed the tree planting day that occurred on May 10th, which saw all cabinet secretaries and the president involved.

The DP was initially supposed to plant trees in Bomet County, but it was canceled at the last minute without further information from the DP’s communication team.

Mangele · May 18, 2024, 9:54pm

https://x.com/_kiongoss/status/1791711792864899424?t=Sr37wtmxwjNYg0r4fphgDg&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0xwvivv_wFA74ikG6sE8Ogo746lwssl3KMQYV0IZ6nS44CfzCR66429lk_aem_AY2F5H67UOGoxTr5BPlzKaeEbDw6yMe8NrydJjeEh5PZ4Pi5HMhmEt3ATpHB9G5PeJP-rM1Q5HLCNIgncrVu6M6o

https://x.com/_sugar0_/status/1791703873184559255?t=4KwKGMj4usimlQanYpt_eA&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3dHtsG-UP9a0HLrnQNIhQ9b4b6kc14-wM5P_-HL-WZCLzw3G30QYyE004_aem_AY1A2KaBmB0nbT4OSAnAYfx4NFfHlVmwqH_ISAY_MbBboATIJsFjjbC71k-IbIfavxrDxNjG2Zra6gHPqqUNQALs

Mangele · May 18, 2024, 10:26pm

President William Samoei Ruto arrived back in the country from Rwanda last evening and was received at the airport by CSs Kindiki, Duale, MP Kimani Ichung’wa and the CGS.

When he was away it was Raila and Murkomen who saw off Yoweli Museveni at the airport.

Ruto is leaving for the US tomorrow with Musalia Mudavadi. I guess he will be seen off by Ndindi Nyoro and Kawanjiku.

Meanwhile the words of our constitution, when the President is away the Deputy President is incharge as acting president. Iyo ni katiba.

Then more interesting news from the US…standby

Kahuni_Maisha · May 18, 2024, 10:49pm

where did Gachagua think he was going ? the dignified thing that Gachagua could have done after being sworn in as the DP , was to call Uhuru Muingai waKenyatta, who was seated behind him, shake His hand, and reconcile with Him, and say it was time to move forward.
Instead, he decided to open battle fronts with Raila Amollo Odinga a political Maharathi and Uhuru Kenyatta, a son of a Mahamarathi.
Now Gachagua world is collapsing around him, 2027, he better vie for his former political seat, otherwise, he will follow the legacy of one Josephat Karanja.

poyoloko · May 18, 2024, 11:26pm

@Wakameat @sokwemtu all thurakus tukutane nyuma ya tent…chambasi hawezi fanyika mbamba yetu hifi

blaze1 · May 19, 2024, 1:43am

Ndege ya jambas ikilipuka suspect number one ni second in command.

Nubia · May 19, 2024, 2:37am

There won’t be suspects since we will all be celebrating, ogolla si ililipuka na tumetulia after mazishi? Nobody gives a damn . His praying mantis mutumishi will also celebrate coz hatakuwa anawekelewa mangumi mbwegze every now and then

slevyn · May 19, 2024, 2:45am

Si angededi tu… Zero value akiwa na asipokuwa

Guru2.0 · May 19, 2024, 6:14am

Riggy G amesoma mood ya nchi akaona heri to abandon sinking ship quick fast like the DO rat he is. Sioni akitoboa tho he has created too many powerful enemies Uhuru

rexxsimba · May 19, 2024, 9:25am

Riggy Gee’s 1 week absence from the political scene shows how unimportant he is in the great scheme of things …

BTW …
So is Nabii Zakayo himself …

Landlord · May 19, 2024, 9:33am

Really? Then why is everyone concerned if he is unimportant?

rexxsimba · May 19, 2024, 10:10am

They are wondering why it is taking Nabii Zakayo Bin Danganya so long to appoint either Ndindi Nyoro or Anthony Kimani Ichungwa …

Jura · May 19, 2024, 11:27am

Gachagua has always been konyagi’s mole…

Mangele · May 19, 2024, 1:23pm

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed on Sunday denied the existence of a feud between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during a press briefing, the spokesperson maintained that the two leaders were working in harmony and redirected any further questioning to Gachagua’s communications teams.

Mohamed was responding to a journalist who queried the House on the Hill over reports that the Head of State and his deputy were not on the same page.

The journalist had raised concerns over the country’s leadership after Ruto jets out for a State Visit in the United States beginning next week.

Kiharu Mp Ndindi Nyoro, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto

“Now that you asked about the President and the deputy president, to my knowledge, there is no issue. The Deputy President’s Office is an office with all the capabilities and competencies,” stated Mohamed.

“If you want to ask any question or find out anything about the Deputy President, they have all the capabilities and you can find out anything about the Deputy President, they have all the capabilities and you can find whatever information you need there.”

Over the weekend, the media was awash with unverified reports that the two leaders had fallen out forcing DP to cut down on his public appearances.

The doubts first surfaced after the second in command skipped a State event during Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s State Visit to Kenya.

The reports further indicated that the DP had skipped a total of 11 state events without an explanation.

Political observers were also concerned with a lack of activity on Gachagua’s social media platforms with the last post having gone out on May 12.

His newest post on X, formerly Twitter, was made today (Sunday, May 19) after missing in action for more than a week.

On Saturday, lawmakers allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza had also denied the existence of a rift between the President and his deputy urging supporters to disregard the rumors.

National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro argued that Gachagua deserved downtime to relax after serving a busy schedule.

“The Deputy President can also have some time to rest and relax. I hear he will be in Nyeri tomorrow so we can wait for him to speak for himself,” Osoro told a congregation.

Kesses MP Julius Ruto corroborated Osoro’s viewpoint noting that the government was united and the reports were just propaganda.

Mangele · May 19, 2024, 8:23pm

https://x.com/JogooRangi/status/1792280573060259896?t=o9EvsMj3y1_HsdoBeTRAgg&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3P3Vt7P-LWRusIcB6KOPZnrjj5nM9huNScj9M1cEHdfB5NM5TSoNvE33c_aem_AXwdHK_1Bqpvfc-PnCMWUd7wpFJwLeo--pyzsuxcX0HcKeY40PbYRnlYsW7rNDOT7dQWD75ALtkejYL_N6zfMxR5

https://x.com/musee_ngei/status/1792289809093775609?t=WVwbtY2BcQyIHNyRVH9M-A&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1VhiiFpFynyGg-0GSaOwNUGT52CDBYATMkvQPT37sCVw9YliJoG7-YDsU_aem_AWX_RgdrbuXOQBuk4rvOohXMM288N_jCLx-5cp7McGU-dkT2aXXkwk7xnmh0JS1obQ-d3q1OQ3t4A9zvEt_KD8kO

https://x.com/i/status/1792178258466734527

Mangele · May 19, 2024, 9:36pm

Same reason you started apologizing to Kenyatta family…You better prepare yourself

…

Mikymas · May 19, 2024, 9:49pm

Uzuri Riggy G si kehee. Huwa hajibizani na watoto wa githeri media

Mangele · May 20, 2024, 11:57pm

https://x.com/Haaland_sholla/status/1792592708181107150?t=KjPjrkaUTyZ1amRaldPv6g&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1MboWIxPhBq7wtadEZlOX6TjHviFBjEyXsof_V1RBocWEciaEsKS-ab2k_aem_AT-p39CX_Ngkb44mT9_hiaJv2eK6zPwPNJuYfkwp6FaWj_kV-7uxgYwH_0enoI1JmeVOYY_wvXKJrNMAW1Ckzi-J

https://x.com/Haaland_sholla/status/1792593063807689122?t=c-c7FFsvg6lS_4N3dZBszw&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1AGKHy862BNNmRX0utKSS-cxLckTx0B0HwWSHcbKD2jIAgVveTntnR-a0_aem_AT_2PITmjvolKMfEwCtI8754Y2S66tYCrZ7zGKgXarolWKXV0LGumKV5rA7InhZnaNwKQap4kcV6heQIHaOGLHIc

https://x.com/Bossyator/status/1792593583096115442?t=Flha80XzVp36n8ZOVVWCzA&s=04&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2w4-ST7sqtRHeyrke0lcR2wm5uzCfpi_C4Tb1PR2NVLwzVFYB57oKowqM_aem_AT_vSbF3k_LhJ8Hak0ozwiUZ3onVWRkMNWalyyuhSFK4A3tlAnHzaYZnsMF1amkNak-sfuTwYt-yH2WE_uMuQ3CO

MTINGIZA_KITANDA · May 21, 2024, 12:31am

Hiyo sweep ya Ann Waiguru haina comeback

Mangele · May 21, 2024, 1:27pm

Gachagua Explains Fasting for 7 Days in the Forest

by HELLEN NJOROGE on Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday explained his absence from the national scene after media reports began speculating about his recent extended absence from the public limelight.

Speaking at the funeral of his former teacher, Julius Kano in Kirinyaga, Kirinyaga County, the Deputy President revealed that he had taken seven days off to pray and fast at the Mount Kenya Forest during which he cut off all lines of communication to everyone.

While making his remarks, Gachagua explained that his absence was well calculated and intentional.

He explained that he turned off his mobile phone as he took off time to meditate and think about the State of the Nation.

“When Mwalimu passed on when I had taken seven days away for prayers and fasting, meditation and reflection at the heart of Mount Kenya Forest, with no phone, no nothing and nobody could disturb me as I wanted to meditate on the State of the Nation and the people of this region,” Stated Gachagua

Gachagua elaborated that he only came out of the hibernation after his wife got a message out to him that his former teacher had passsed on.

Further during the event, Gachagua emphasised that he was championing the unity of the Mount Kenya region.

“I am not that wise but I am also not stupid, there is something I know and that is why as the senior most politician in the region I made the decision to unite the people of Kenya,” stated Gachagua

Meanwhile…

President William Ruto’s government is facing a storm of controversy after reports revealed that his chartered Boeing 737-700 business jet on the four-day tour will cost taxpayers nearly Ksh200 million for his state visit to the United States, forcing the US to clarify its position in the brewing storm.

The news comes as the government urges cost-cutting across various sectors and the complete removal of budgets for some agencies in the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025.

The luxury charter, provided by the Abu Dhabi-based airline Royal Jet, charges $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million) per hour. A quoted cost for a one-way flight from Nairobi to Atlanta was $748,600 (Ksh98 million) for the 18-hour journey. This sum, along with the return trip and additional flights, brings the total expense to more than Ksh200 million, reported The Standard on Tuesday.

The hourly rate for hiring a Boeing Business Jet ranges from $12,000 – $20,000, which is approximately Ksh1.58 million to Ksh2.63 million in the current exchange rates, with the price rising depending on the stops and how long the trip lasts.

Despite initial rumours, the US Embassy in Nairobi has clarified that the United States did not fund President Ruto’s flight. “Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” said a spokesperson for the embassy.

This trip marks the first state visit to the United States by an African president in 15 years. President Ruto opted for the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) over his official Fokker 70ER, citing its range limitations.

Unlike his predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who flew commercially with Kenya Airways in 2019, Ruto chose a more opulent option for his journey.

The decision has drawn criticism, especially considering a Kenya Airways flight to New York departed just two hours after Ruto’s plane. A business class ticket on this flight would have cost between Ksh123,000 and Ksh234,000 but would have required a connecting flight to Atlanta. The logistical and security demands of a state visit made this option less feasible.

Ruto’s luxurious flight included a split 17-hour journey cruising at 34,000 feet in a $100 million (Ksh13 billion) aircraft.

The BBJ, designed by Edese Doret, offers unparalleled luxury, far surpassing commercial first-class experiences. The hourly cost of the jet ranges from $12,000 (Ksh1.6 million) to $18,000 (Ksh2.4 million), making the round trip from Nairobi to Atlanta and back potentially cost Ksh86.4 million at the high end.

Additionally, flying the plane from Abu Dhabi to Nairobi and back added to the expense. Each five-hour leg of this journey cost between Ksh8 million and Ksh10 million. The jet left Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, arriving in Nairobi by early afternoon, awaiting Ruto’s departure.

The plane is also scheduled to make fueling stops in Spain which adds to the total figure of hiring the plane.

The BBJ boasts a living room, dining area, and a lounge with eight plush leather seats that can recline into flatbeds, two marble tables, and privacy partitions. Another section includes eight more flatbed-capable seats and 18 premium seats for the entourage, even though the plane can typically accommodate up to 150 passengers.