Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua missed President William Ruto’s event in Nyeri due to time constraints after attending an extended church service in Kirinyaga, according to Kiambu Senator Karung’o Wa Thang’wa.
In a post shared on his X account, Thang’wa defended Gachagua, responding to claims made by former Public Service CS Moses Kuria, who had suggested that the Deputy President deliberately boycotted the event.
Thang’wa explained that both the President and his Deputy had separate commitments—Ruto in Nyeri and Gachagua in Kirinyaga. Gachagua was expected to join Ruto later in Nyeri after representing him in Kirinyaga.
Pres William Ruto and his Deputy President Hon Rigathi Gachagua during a past event. Photo: William Ruto (Facebook)
However, the church service in Kirinyaga, where Gachagua was officiating on behalf of the President, took longer than anticipated. The event, which marked 100 years of faith and evangelization, saw 11 Catholic churches come together for the celebration.
Thang’wa mentioned that the ceremony was filled with joy and took more time than initially planned. “The beautiful ceremony took longer than expected, and we enjoyed every moment of it,” he shared.
Thang’wa also addressed rumours of a political rift, asserting that there was no tension between the President and his Deputy. He dismissed the claims as political spin, manufactured by those seeking to create unrest within the administration, and reassured the public that Gachagua’s absence was purely due to logistical challenges, not any form of political fallout.
The senator’s clarification aimed to dispel rising speculation and emphasized that the Deputy President’s delay was simply a matter of scheduling conflicts, not a deliberate absence or boycott.
