NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 20 — Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the Kenya Kwanza government will prioritize those who supported it in the 2022 General Election amid a sustained onslaught on allies of the previous regime.
Speaking on Sunday while on a tour of Kericho, one of the 39 counties where President William Ruto secured the constitutional threshold of 25 per cent of the vote and above, Gachagua said supported will “reap the harvest” before anybody else is considered.
“This government is a company that has shares. There are owners who have the majority of shares, and those with just a few, while others do not have any, therefore those who voted for us and supported us must enjoy the benefits first,” he said.
Gachagua who has repeatedly told off critics who have faulted Ruto’s administration for overdoing religion appeared to invoke the biblical teachings in Galatians 6:10: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
“You invested in this government and you must reap. You sowed, tilled, put manure and irrigated, and now it is time to reap.”
‘Protector of State House’
Gachagua remarked that it is absurd that some opposition figures have begun showing up at State House in search of government appointments.
He said even though the government will serve all Kenyans, it is wise, just, and reasonable to reward its supporters with government positions.
“Some are criticizing me for saying those who sowed reap first, but there is nothing wrong. Their time of reaping will come some day in what remains after those who sowed have finished reaping,” he said.
He insisted that those who voted against Kenya Kwanza must “learn a lesson” about elections, even as he declared himself the “protector of State House”.
Gachagua promised to see to it that everyone who did not support Kenya Kwanza is barred from holding any high-ranking positions in the government.
“Elections have significance. You cannot make noise talking ill of Ruto and after he wins you get in line to get benefits before those who were with him,” he said.
“That is my work at State House; controlling that queue and deciding who is ahead of whom.”
Gachagua spoke amid several defections from Azimio to Kenya Kwanza.
Some of the leaders who have abandoned Azimio include former Governors Professor Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Kiraitu Muringi (Meru), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Mandera Senator Ali Roba, as well as Tiaty MP William Kamket (KANU) and Ugenya’s David Ochieng.
All the 29 Jubilee Party MPs have switched allegiance to Ruto with the party having initiated the process to quit the Azimio Coalition.
