Gachagua responds to President Ruto's call for woman running mate

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has responded to President William Ruto's remarks suggesting that any male presidential aspirant should in future consider having a woman as his deputy.

Ruto  made the utterances on Thursday during the launch of the Women Governors Caucus G7 Strategy in Nairobi, highlighting that he had discussed the idea with DP Gachagua who he said embraced it.

The President's comments have however ignited discussions regarding the future of Gachagua, with many speculating that Ruto might be contemplating a shift towards a female deputy presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

Speaking in Embu on Friday during a ceremony commemorating International Women's Day, Gachagua admitted to supporting the idea and advocating for increased slots for women in government.  

"Na vile Rais ulisema jana ni ukweli. Tumeongea na tutaendelea kuongea vile hawa kina mama huko mbele watashirikishwa katika serikali kuu wakiwa na nyadhfa ambayo ziko na uzito. Hawa kina mama wamejionyesha ya kwamba wako na umaarafu na wanaweza kupewa nafasi ya kuongoza," said Gachagua.

The DP highlighted that Ruto's remarks have been taken out of context, stating that the welcomed idea can only be introduced after Ruto's second term in office and downplaying suggestions of a parting of ways with the President ahead of the 2027 polls.

"Lakini wengine hawakuelewa. Rais alisema ataniongelesha tuwapange pale mbele tukimaliza mambo yetu. Walikuwa wanafikiria ni saa hii so lazima mngoje kwanza nimsaidie rais kwa kipindi chake," he said.

"Ikifika kutamatisha, Rais mwenyewe atatuongoza, atatuonyesha vile tutapanga hawa kina mama na vile mambo yao itakuwa sawasawa."