Dp. Rigathi Gachagua is boarding a Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa after yet another struggle to get a military helicopter.
Following a recent truce between Rift Valley leaders and Mount Kenya politicians, the government has frustrated the second-in-command.
Last weekend, DP Gachagua was forced to hire a private chopper and later stack on traffic jams when he was heading to Nakuru for the Akorino Thanksgiving service.
This is the fifth time that the second-in-command has suffered in government without getting the necessary transport for national activities or events.
For the third time in a month, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was unable to use a military helicopter for what he called official functions on May 31.
The claims of Gachagua being denied a military chopper to Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma, the venue of the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations, have further fueled speculations of fallout with President William Ruto.
According to Gachagua’s allies, this was the third time the military has denied the second-in-command.
He had to use a chopper owned by Communication Authority chairperson Mary Wambui on Friday, May 31, to fly to Bungoma and then to Nanyuki.
The DP hired a commercial plane to travel to Bungoma and then to Nanyuki, where he was presiding over the Kikuyu oldies music extravaganza, after receiving information that he could not use the military helicopter “due to bad weather.”
On Friday, he attended an event in Nyandarua and requested a helicopter to transport him to Bungoma, but the bad weather prevented this.
Pundits explain that Gachagua could be facing difficulties due to his statements about Mt. Kenya’s unity and the one man, one shilling campaign.