Deputy President William Ruto and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua. [Source/C Nyakundi]
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has hinted that Kikuyu community may not vote for Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 general election.
Ruto, who has been making inroads in the central region of Kenya, is banking on the support of Kikuyus, plus that of his Kalenjin community, in his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Rigathi, who is an ardent supporter of the DP, claimed Kikuyus are currently on Ruto's side, but indicated they would jump ship if given 'enough reasons' to dump the man from Rift Valley.
Apparently referring to President Kenyatta, the region's political kingpin, the first-time legislator said the community will abandon Ruto if he (Kenyatta) gives them more than twenty reasons to do so.
Speaking during a burial that Ruto was in attendance, Gachagua said the DP has proved to be a trustworthy person who Kikuyus would find difficult to dump.
"If anyone wants to us from you he must come and speak to us politely. He must give us enough reasons, not one or two, but more than twenty. You have been with us and you have been helpful. We also regard you as a leader we can depend on," he said.
On the ongoing debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), he said the populous community will reject it if it does not put their agricultural interests first.
"We do not have a problem with the BBI. What we are saying it must look into our issues about coffee, tea and milk. If they will not be on the first page, the first paragraph, we will have nothing to do with the document," Gachagua said.
Other Kikuyu MPs present at the burial and who pledged to support Ruto include Alice Wahome (Kandara), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Simon King'ara (Ruiru), Mwangi Gichuhi (Tetu) and Woman Reps Purity Ngirici (Kirinyaga), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua) and Nyeri's Rahab Mukami.