NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 20- Kenya Kwanza Presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has blamed the ‘inferiority complex’ for the bitter fallout between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.
Gachagua has further alleged that DP Ruto was sidelined in the Jubilee Government so that he can resign, and give a chance to the President, “and hand it over to his friend.”
The 52-year-old politician was speaking during an epic battle of words, when he faced off Martha Karua, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance running mate.
What if a similar fate, like Ruto’s, befall him?
“None of us suffers from an inferiority complex,” the Mathira legislator said during the 2-hour televised debate, watched by millions of Kenyans across the country.
He added that “the situation between President Uhuru and DP Ruto has been brought up because of inferiority complex. People must allow strong leaders to prevail. You shouldn’t have a problem when your Deputy is strong, sharp, and focused.”
The DP fell out with President Kenyatta over yet-to-be-known issues, but the Kenya Kwanza brigade has blamed it on the March 2018 handshake between the President and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, after a disputed election.
Since then, their divisions have played into the public gallery, and the two leaders have not shied away from engaging in public spats.
Gachagua said if elected, he does not foresee such a situation replaying again.
“We are inheriting a dilapidated country,” he said. “It would be incomprehensible that we would think of having such sideshows.”
He said many problems including the cost of living were a result of the bad blood between the President and his Deputy.
During the debate, Gachagua was put to task over his alleged involvement in corruption and more so on his active case, where Sh200 million has been frozen.
He said the case is anchored on shaky grounds, saying “it is political.”
He alleged that President Kenyatta wanted him to drop his allegiance to DP Ruto, which he declined.
The candidates were put to task on what their administrations if elected would do to address state capture and corruption, ways of boosting food security, and lower the cost of living.
The debate lasted for two hours.
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