'Rais amempanga,' DP Gachagua says as he woos Raila supporters in Kilifi

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has embarked on a charm offensive of the Coastal region, urging Raila Odinga loyalists to join Kenya Kwanza and support its initiatives now that the former premier has declared his candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Speaking in Malindi, Kilifi County on Thursday,  Gachagua intimated that President William Ruto's endorsement and continuous rallying of Raila's candidacy had all but guaranteed that the opposition leader would clinch the coveted seat.

"Mmefuata huyu mzee miaka mingi. Amejaribu kufika lakini imekuwa ngumu, Rais amempanga  sasa. Huyu mzee ameumia na tukisema ukweli amejitolea kwa nchi hii.  Rais ameona huyu mzee ameumia miaka mingi na ameona amtafutie nafasi; kiti cha heshima ndio siku anastaafu, astaafu na heshima," said Gachagua.

"Ataenda akae hapo, akuwe mkubwa,  akule mali yake polepole."

With Odinga out of the equation, Gachagua went on, Coast residents will need a representative to champion their interests at the highest level of government, further asserting that Kenya Kwanza can fill that role.

"Kila mtu anataka kuwa kwa serikali na hata nyinyi mliunga baba mkono, mkifikiria mtafika huko. Huyo mzee akishaondoka , sasa mjue ni rais na mimi tuko. Kujeni tukae na nyinyi; tusaidiane kwa kazi ya kuskuma maendeleo kwa sababu mzee tutakuwa tumempanga," said the DP.

"Huyu kijana ya Sugoi (Ruto), kama aliwashinda mkiwa na system na deep state sasa akiwa rais mtamweza kweli? Msibaki kwa hewa. Lakini hiyo ni uamuzi wenu mkitaka kubaki kwa hewa ama msituni  tutawaheshimu."