Election Campaign in Kenya, Update April 3, 2025

Election Campaign in Kenya, Update April 3, 2025 Things are getting heated in this election campaign, which looks set to be a real battle. See also: https://afrikamonamour.blogspot.com/2025/04/election-campaigning-in-kenia.html President William Ruto, accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, embarked on a tour of Mount Kenya for the first time since November 16, 2024, which caused discontent among some residents. Because of the population's anger, President Ruto's supporters have traveled through the districts of Mount Kenya, trying to calm them down before their five-day tour. President William Ruto and his former Vice President, Rigathi Gachagua (who served as Vice President of Kenya from September 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024. He was William Ruto's running mate in the 2022 presidential election, which he won, but was threatened with impeachment proceedings due to allegations of inciting ethnic tensions and violating his oath of office, which led to his removal from office) have now decided to publicly damage each other's reputations as their feud continues to simmer. In an interview, Ruto claimed that he saved Gachagua by naming him his running mate for the 2022 general elections by rejecting the MPs from Mount Kenya. It is reported here, unofficially, that Kindiki was his candidate. However, Kindiki would not have garnered as many votes as Gachagua, which is why he nominated Gachagua. The people's anger stems from the president's decision to remove former Vice President Gachagua from office last year. Ruto had appointed Professor Kindiki as his deputy, but popular opposition to the government remained, feeling betrayed. Ruto had appointed three influential political leaders from the region as ministers, but popular rejection persisted. This was certainly a serious reason, but the visit came just days after Ruto dismissed former Cabinet Secretary for the Public Service, Justin Muturi. This dismissal came almost simultaneously with partnership agreements with ODM leader Raila Odinga. Mr. Muturi criticized the government for the increase in kidnappings, especially of young people, since last year. This is, of course, not allowed! Ruto's orders must be followed, whether they are right or wrong! He added that after winning the presidential election and taking power, Gachagua caused unrest and constantly complained about being harassed by several people in the government. This isn't entirely certain, but there are indications that Rigathi Gachagua was under pressure from the government. It's likely that there were tensions between Gachagua and the government. Ruto also claimed that Gachagua once demanded 10 billion shillings from him, or he would politically overthrow him in the 2027 general elections. "I nominated him as my running mate even though the Mt. Kenya MPs didn't want him. In the ballot at the Vice President's residence in Karen, Professor Kindiki received 27 votes, while he received only five. However, I personally decided to give him the position because he is older and closer to me," Ruto explained. It was further alleged that Gachagua had started a bitter fight with the same MPs from Mount Kenya, pressuring them to recognize him as the region's political spokesperson. Ruto also claimed that he had not agreed to the impeachment. Believe it, you'll be blessed! Gachagua immediately responded to Ruto's claims, calling them "baseless" and accusing the head of state of deceiving and misleading the public. "I have come to believe that lying is a mental disorder. The greatest threat to our country is the relentless lying of Kenyans and the failure of a leader to manipulate his people into fabricating his lies. I weep for my country," he said via his account X and also on Facebook. Gachagua, however, did not deny the successive accusations made against him by President Ruto. Gachagua also claimed that he opposed other government initiatives, such as the new Social Health Insurance (SHA) and Adani's tender plan for energy sector projects. "When I was vice president, I appeared on every television program to defend government policies. But during his two and a half years as vice president, Gachagua flatly refused to do so. This means he didn't want to support our agenda," Gachagua explained. https://taifaleo.nation.co.ke/habari/habari-za-kitaifa/ataweza-kupapasa-mlima/ https://taifaleo.nation.co.ke/makala/ruto-na-gachagua-wanavyovuana-nguo-hadharani/