Gachagua: ‘We switched off our phones to protect integrity in gov't’

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed on Friday that he and former Attorney General Justin Muturi would deliberately switch off their phones during Cabinet meetings to resist undue influence.

Speaking at the launch of Mr Muturi’s book, ‘The Fight for Order’, Mr Gachagua said this was necessary to ensure that decisions were made in the interest of Kenyans, not to satisfy private agendas.

“JB looked for me, and we agreed … we will leave our phones away. So Mr William Ruto could not reach us,” he said.

“By the time he was told what he wanted was not going the right way…I raised the Finance Bill… I said this thing cannot be accepted by the people of Kenya.”

The book, according to Mr Muturi, is “an insider account of the struggle to bring order and discipline to government and parliament.”

It examines state capture, corruption, and the role of institutions in safeguarding the nation.

Mr Gachagua praised Mr Muturi’s courage, saying he remained “the only truthful and fearless person in the Cabinet”.

“JB has lived the words he writes. He has been my soulmate in cabinet because he was the only truthful and fearless person. We switched off our phones to prevent interference from people who wanted to manipulate government decisions," Mr Gachagua said.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, present at the event, described Mr Muturi as “a leader who values discipline and the rule of law.”

Mr Musyoka called on leaders to respect institutions and uphold accountability.

“This is the team that will komboa [salvage] Kenya,” he said.

Other opposition leaders attending, including Dr Fred Matiang’i, emphasised the need for honesty and integrity in public service.

“We must clean up our systems and restore the dignity of government. Leaders must be truthful to themselves and to the people of Kenya,” Dr Matiang’i said.

Mr Gachagua also revealed tense moments in government, including his and Mr Muturi’s clash with directives they considered illegal or unethical.

He recounted incidents involving state contracts and decisions that were being rushed under pressure.

Mr Gachagua said he plans to write his own book detailing his experiences and lessons from government.