Gachagua Snubbed as Kindiki And Ruto Deliver Speeches, Uhuru Calls For Unity in Embu
The antagonism between President William Ruto and his previous deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, was once again on display in public as the Head of State and his predecessor proceeded to the podium to address the congregation, leaving Gachagua out.
The ceremony, which included former President Uhuru Kenyatta, President Ruto, Gachagua, and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, drew hundreds of attendees, most of whom were Catholics from around the country.
However, while Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto, and Kindiki were given the opportunity to address the congregation, the former Deputy President was simply recognized and not allowed to speak.
Despite coming early for the ceremony, Gachagua elected to sit in the ordinary area rather than the exclusive tent reserved for Very Important Persons (VIPs) such as the Head of State and other top government officials.
Incidentally, despite arriving at the venue after the former DP, both the former Head of State and Ruto avoided greeting Gachagua, demonstrating the depth of their political animosity.
The dispute arose when the host, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, requested Kindiki to address the audience, which in turn invited Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mt. Kenya Kingpin Uhuru Kenyatta makes his powerful remarks in Embu!
— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) November 16, 2024
Gaitho Rigathi Gachagua #PaulTyson📷📷📷 Embu #UDAGusiiComrades Uhuru Catholic UDA Town Hall Kindiki Booker Omole Peter Kimani pic.twitter.com/jDTcSzUZAr
Kindiki returned to the podium to invite President Ruto to finish the procedure before handing over the podium to Catholic Bishop Peter Ndung’u.
During the speeches, the former deputy president remained silent and simply gazed while key government leaders spoke. It is unclear whether the snub was intentional.
Moments after the event, Gachagua walked away, accompanied by his Mt Kenya political allies, including Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchoba, despite calls from a section of the congregation for him to give a speech.
Today’s incident occurred barely a fortnight after Kithure Kindiki was sworn in as the new deputy president, succeeding Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by the Senate in October of this year.
Meanwhile, former President Uhuru, during his speech, called on Kenyans to love each other, co-exist amicably and stop tribalism.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s full speech at Embu during the inauguration of Bishop Peter Kimani Ndung’u. pic.twitter.com/AftbHINDSF
— Cornelius K. Ronoh (@itskipronoh) November 16, 2024
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“We should pray for peace in Kenya. Let us pray for cooperation between Kenyan citizens and leaders. Let us stop tribalism and let us love each other,” Uhuru told the congregants.
“We are all Kenyans. Kenya cannot go forward if there’s conflict amongst citizens and when there is no respect for each other. Leaders, respect the citizens, and the citizens will respect you,” he added.
President Ruto, who addressed the crowd shortly after his predecessor, acknowledged Uhuru as an ally.
Ruto lauded Kenyatta for the government’s efforts in completing key projects initiated during the previous rule, such as the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), the Affordable Housing Project, and Universal Health Coverage.
Gachagua Snubbed as Kindiki And Ruto Deliver Speeches, Uhuru Calls For Unity in Embu
