Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, affectionately dubbed “Mr. Truthful Man,” injected some humor into the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel on Thursday, May 30th.

In his address, the DP playfully recounted the amusing “pressure” that President William Ruto’s recent state visit to the US had exerted on Kenyan households.

Gachagua amusingly observed that throughout the visit, President Ruto was frequently seen holding First Lady Rachel Ruto’s hand, sparking expectations among Kenyan women for similar gestures from their partners.

He shared that even his own spouse, Pastor Dorcas, insisted on such emulation, quipping, “Mr. President, allow me, as a man who values honesty, to share a truth with you. Your trip caused a bit of a stir. Every Kenyan was keeping tabs on your activities in the states.

One thing you did stirred some trouble for us men. Walking around hand in hand with your wife. Our spouses, including mine, Pastor Dorcas, began demanding that we follow suit. She even remarked that I don’t hold her hand enough at home.”

The Deputy President humorously mentioned that Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was also facing similar demands, jesting, “We call each other ‘Omwami.’ He inquired if I was dealing with the same situation at home, and I assured him I was.”

However, Gachagua assured that upon returning to Kenya, he had rectified the situation and no longer engaged in hand-holding with the First Lady.

He remarked that the pressure had eased, highlighting that he had arrived at the National Prayer Breakfast unaccompanied by Pastor Dorcas, jesting, “I knew you’d resolve that issue upon your return. This morning, you did just that.

As we welcomed you from your car to here, you were briskly walking with me, chatting away, while Mama Rachel struggled to keep pace. So, the matter is settled; it was simply an American thing.”

President Ruto’s four-day visit to the US was marked by his consistent hand-holding with Mama Rachel during all official ceremonies.