Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was on Thursday spotted interacting with Kisumu residents while strolling through various streets during his routine morning exercise.
Gachagua who donned his signature ‘Riggy’ clothing brand was accompanied by a few security officers as he walked freely in Kisumu which was previously regarded as a hostile ground due to different political affiliations with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Embracing the newfound political bromance, Gachagua freely took selfies with the locals without interference from his security detail.
He further proceeded to chat with the boda boda operators and other businesspersons around the city during his early morning stroll.
While displaying a warm embrace for the lakeside city, the Second in Command also conversed with the school-going children.
“It has been refreshing taking a brisk walk in the streets of Kisumu City early this morning.
“Ahead of President William Ruto’s second day of the working visit in the region, it was mind-boosting to have a feel of the beauty and breeze from the nearby Lake Victoria,” Gachagua’s statement shared on Thursday, August 29, 2024, read in part.
Although Gachagua has been consistent with his morning routine in every place he has visited, Kisumu’s walk is significant as it comes just a day after he hinted at burying the hatchet with Raila Odinga.
All hail Raila
During the launch of Raila’s African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid, Gachagua praised his political nemesis and described him as Kenya’s finest. Gachagua also acknowledged Raila’s contribution to Africanism.
“What a day, what a moment! We are here to unveil Raila Odinga, Kenya’s finest, to lead the African Union Commission. I would like to tell the African leaders that as we present Raila to be our candidate is because Africa, our motherland deserves the best. The passion and zeal of Raila in pan-Africanism is well documented. Passion knows no age and limit,” he stated.
The DP insisted that he only differed with Raila over the 2022 presidential election. While endorsing his AUC chairmanship bid, Gachagua further told those who attended the launch that Raila’s bid for the AUC position is widely supported across all political divides and communities.
“As a truthful man, I had no issue with Raila Odinga’s leadership. The only problem was that he was competing for the same position as my boss. Now that he is running for a higher seat in Africa, all of us are behind him. I have listened to the ground and all Kenyans across all political divides are in support of your candidature and we wish you well,” he affirmed.
Previously, Gachagua held a firm stance against Raila. He even publicly announced that he had set traps at the State House to prevent any form of handshake between the former Prime Minister and his boss.
To extend the olive branch, Gachagua has accompanied President Ruto for his Nyanza tour, an area which is widely considered as Raila’s stronghold.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Ruto received a heroic welcome in Kisumu as he landed ahead of his planned tour.
Visibly overjoyed residents scaled buildings, thronged the streets and others abandoned their daily activities to accord Ruto a triumphant entry into the lakeside city.