DP Gachagua to reconcile fighting Kericho Governor and deputy

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to meet Kericho Governor Erick Mutai and his deputy Fred Kirui today (Thursday, October 5), in a bid to resolve their endless political wrangles.

Wrangles between Governor Mutai and his deputy started just a month after they were sworn into office (August 25, 2022). Two attempts at reconciling the two leaders have failed.

The venue of today’s meeting – scheduled to start at 2 pm – is at DP Gachagua’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

Gachagua has in the past said that him and President William Ruto are not happy about the bitter fallout between the two, because it is the people of Kericho County that are suffering.

“The President and I are disappointed by the infighting in Kericho County. Recently the President almost cancelled the Kericho County hosting of Mashujaa Day, but I prevailed upon him to let it proceed. The matter is that serious,” Gachagua said during the funeral service of lawyer Vincent Kipkoech Mutai, son of Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot.

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai (Right) and his deputy Fred Kirui embrace after a political truce between them in 2022. The political truce was, however, short-lived. There has been two attempts at reconciling the two leaders to no avail.

Gachagua: ‘We will push you out’

During the funeral at Masita ward in Londiani on September 8, DP Gachagua further warned that if the two leaders failed to reconcile, they will be kicked out.

“You must work together the way you campaigned together If you won’t be able and continue fighting you will be removed from office by the people.

I will tell the people of Kericho that they made a mistake. We have a responsibility to work for the people of Kericho, the people cannot benefit when there are wrangles between the governor and his deputy.”

Short-lived handshake

On September 11 this year, Mutai and his deputy reconciled after holding a meeting with county Woman Rep. Beatrice Kemei, Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat, Sepaker Patrick Mutai and some MCAs.

However, the political truce was short-lived as two days later, the deputy governor announced fresh demands.

The genesis of all these wrangles, Kirui says, was when the governor reneged on a pre-election pact between them on county officers’ appointments.

“I want a share of the county administration which I bargained for in a signed memorandum with the governor, leading to my stepping down from contesting the top seat and settling for the deputy position ahead of the UDA Party primaries,” Kirui said.