DP Ruto Picks Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua As Running Mate
Deputy President and Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto has picked Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate in the upcoming August Presidential election.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
Among the candidates considered for the position were MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Alice Wahome (Kandara), National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru & Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
While announcing his running mate pick on Sunday at his official residence in Karen, Ruto described Gachagua as "an astute debater, a successful elected politician who is a principled, resilient and fearless fighter for the right cause."
Gachagua has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and literature from the University of Nairobi.
He previously served as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, District Officer cadet, and Personal Assistant to the head of Public Service.
The Mathira MP also worked as a District Officer in Kakamega and Laikipia Districts.
He was also the Personal Assistant of the Minister for Local Government, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ruto has promised to solve gender imbalance in the nation’s leadership within a year of his administration with Gachagua.
“We will ensure that 10 of the cabinet ministers in our government will be women as part of our plan towards inclusive governance,” he added.
Kenya Kwanza had announced that they would make known who would be Ruto's running mate on Saturday but that never materialized, with rumors of last-minute jostling further complicating the political headache.
In an unusual midnight press conference called by Ruto’s Presidential campaign Director of Communications Hussein Mohamed, which many thoughts were the one to announce the long-awaited decision, the party decided to keep Kenyans guessing for a few extra hours.
Presidential candidates have until Monday, May 16 to submit the names of their running mates to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
