Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has disclosed fresh details on the internal voting process that preceded the selection of Rigathi Gachagua as William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News on Thursday night, Kuria outlined how Members of Parliament aligned to Ruto cast their votes, contradicting earlier claims by some leaders about their role in the decision.
According to Kuria, Gachagua secured only five votes from a select group of lawmakers.
He named Kimani Ngunjiri, Ndindi Nyoro, Jane Kihara, James Gakuya, and Charles Kanyi as the only MPs who supported Gachagua in the vote.
“Anybody else who tells you they voted for Gachagua is a liar,” Kuria said, dismissing claims by other politicians who have publicly associated themselves with the decision.
He further revealed that the majority of MPs backed Kithure Kindiki, who was also in contention for the deputy president slot. A third candidate, Justin Muturi, received just one vote — Kuria’s own.
The revelations shed new light on the behind-the-scenes political calculations within the Kenya Kwanza coalition at a critical moment ahead of the 2022 polls.
At the time, the choice of running mate was widely seen as a strategic move to consolidate support in key voting blocs, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.
Despite the outcome of the MPs’ vote, Kuria suggested that the final decision rested with Ruto, who may have weighed additional factors beyond the ballot.
He indicated that age and political optics could have influenced the president’s choice.
“I do believe William Ruto had his own reasons for picking Rigathi Gachagua,” Kuria stated. “One of the reasons, I think, is that he wanted someone older than him, because he was being accused of going around with youngsters.”
The remarks are likely to reignite debate within political circles over how key decisions were made within the ruling alliance and the extent to which internal consultations influenced the final ticket.
Kuria’s disclosure adds to ongoing discussions about power dynamics within Kenya Kwanza and may prompt responses from leaders mentioned in the account.