ANC Refutes Rigathi’s Claims on Kenya Kwanza’s Flagbearer, Deputy Candidates

Kenya Kwanza alliance is yet to settle on a preferred presidential and running mate candidates, Amani National Congress (ANC) has said.

The Musalia Mudavadi-led party refuted claims by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua that deputy President William Ruto was the alliance’s flagbearer.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, Rigathi said the DP would fly the Kenya Kwanza flag and his deputy would hail from the vote rich Mt Kenya region.

The lawmaker insisted that Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula were aware of the plan before joining the alliance.

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“The two leaders joined us knowing that Ruto was going to be our presidential candidate and his running will come from Mount Kenya,” he said.

But according to ANC, the lawmaker had no authority to speak on behalf of the alliance.

“Hon Rigathi Gachagua has no authority to speak for Kenya Kwanza on the matter hence his sentiments are premature, untimely and unwarranted,” read the statement by ANC Secretary General Simon Gikuru.

Gikuru said that the alliance would unveil the flagbearer and his deputy at an appropriate time.

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“Kenya Kwanza Coalition has not decided on its presidential and running mate candidates. This will happen and be unveiled at an appropriate time by our principals Musalia Mudavadi, Dr. William Ruto and Moses Wetangula,” ANC said.

The party further faulted the MP’s ‘regional’ mindset, adding that the Kenya Kwanza coalition had nationalist motives to abolish ethnic trivialization.

“Rigathi Gachagua should transition from a regional UDA mindset to embrace the broader picture of Kenya Kwanza philosophy,” the statement added.

The DP is set to be unveiled as the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) presidential candidate.

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The party will endorse him on March 15 when it finally holds its inaugural National Delegates Convention (NDC).

In the meantime, the second-in-command is in the US and will later proceed to the UK.

He is in the company of 30 individuals among them his wife, Rachel Ruto, MPs Kimani Ichungwah, Alice Wahome among others.