Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has shed light on the controversial selection of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President by President William Ruto, revealing that the decision was made despite strong support for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki among party members.

In an interview with Hot 96, Kabogo disclosed that a vote held among 26 party members overwhelmingly favoured Kindiki as Ruto’s running mate, with 21 votes for Kindiki, three for Gachagua, one for Governor Anne Waiguru, and another for Justin Muturi. However, Ruto ultimately chose Gachagua, overriding the group’s consensus.

Kabogo recounted that after the vote, Ruto took an additional 18 hours to affirm his decision.

“Ruto asked me, ‘William, you’ve been governor and always wanted your own deputy. So, I want to be president; why can’t I have my own deputy as well, my own choice?’ I questioned him about why he brought the matter to us for a decision if he had already made up his mind. Yet, he managed to justify his choice and settled on Gachagua,” Kabogo explained.

As Gachagua faces an ongoing impeachment process, Kabogo urged Ruto to clarify to the public why he chose Gachagua as his deputy and what led to their apparent falling out, culminating in the push for Gachagua’s removal from office.

Kabogo further criticized Gachagua for allegedly exploiting tribal sentiments, stating that he has “engineered his own downfall” by playing the ‘Watu wa Mlima’ against other Kenyans.

On Gachagua’s recent apology, Kabogo expressed skepticism, claiming the Deputy President was not sincere as he attempted to quantify his contribution yet he had asked Ruto, Members of Parliament, and the public for forgiveness, along with his wife, if they had been wronged in any way.

As the impeachment process unfolds, the spotlight remains on Gachagua’s future and the ramifications of Ruto’s earlier decision to appoint him as Deputy President.