By Lauryne Akoth
On Friday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua clarified President Ruto’s remarks about nominating women as Running mates in the UDA party.
Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebrations held at the Moi Stadium in Embu County, Gachagua noted that several individuals had misinterpreted the president’s message. He asserted that the president did not mean the changes would be enacted immediately but after Ruto’s term in office.
“Akina mama watapewa nafasi za uongozi. Na vile Rais ulisema jana, ni ukweli tumeongea, na tutazidi kuongea vile kina mama huko mbele watashirikishwa katika serikali kuu wakuwa na nyadhifa ambayo iko na uzito, Hawa kina mama wamejionyesha ya kwamba wako na umaarafu na wanaweza kupewa nafasi ya kuongoza” said Gachagua.
The deputy president was alluding to Ruto’s address at the inauguration of the G-7 strategy on March 7th. During the event, Ruto floated the idea of a new directive for the UDA party that mandates a woman to be the accompanying running mate if a male is the presidential candidate and vice versa.
He further added,” Lakini wengine hawakuwa wanaelewa. Rais alisema ataniongelesha tuwapange pale mbele tukimaliza mambo yetu. Wengine walikuwa wanafikiria ni sahi. Lazima sasa mngoje kwanza nisaidie Rais kwa kipindi chake, ikifika kutamatisha hapo Rais mwenyewe atatuongoza atatuonyesha vile tutapanga hawa wamama na vile mambo yao itakuwa sawasawa.”
Meaning that the president’s remarks had been taken out of context and the idea would only be implemented once the president’s term in office came to an end, and for the time being, he would remain the Deputy president.
Gachagua also applauded Ruto for prioritizing women’s empowerment by designating leadership positions for women; particularly the president’s appointment of ten women ambassadors and six women as deputy ambassadors.