Allies of President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have turned their guns on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of cowardice and fleeing responsibility over last Monday’s deadly Saba Saba protests.
Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the leaders dismissed Gachagua’s trip to the United States as a deliberate ploy to dodge blame for the chaos and destruction that left several dead and property worth hundreds of millions in ruins.
Speaking at a Women Empowerment Programme in Uashi Gishu County, Speaker Wetang’ula faulted leaders who, he said, incited the Generation Z to join the protests but were conspicuously absent when violence erupted.
This, even as the Speaker cautioned young people against being used to build the profiles of politicians who had no plan to change their lives.
“Young people, the leaders who urged you to demonstrate, did you see them on the streets? Did you see their children there? Their children are studying abroad, yet someone here tells you to go and protest,” said Wetang’ula, urging the youth not to allow themselves to be used to advance political careers.
He added: “Saba Saba originally gave rise to multiparty democracy and eventually the 2010 Constitution. Why did we have protests this time?”
“You will not become the President of Kenya by revolving around just one mountain; you must reach out and connect with all regions,” he said.
Taking cue from Speaker Wetang’ula, other leaders present also took turns to criticise Gachagua, among them East African Community (EAC) Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu, who comes from his Nyeri County backyard.
She said the region had moved on and now firmly supported President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“He was given a job which he abandoned. Will you allow someone who deserted his responsibility to distract the President? Let him show if he still has support,” said Dr. Karugu.
The leaders vowed they would not allow anyone “seeking power through the back door” to plunge the country into chaos.
“Rigathi Gachagua, you are impatient. After just one term as MP, you went for Deputy President. Then you became rebellious, so don’t blame the President for your troubles,” said Elgeyo Marakwet County MP Caroline Ng’elechei.
Former Agriculture CS and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, weighing in, urged Kikuyus living outside Mt Kenya to protect the peace they are enjoying today.
“Kikuyus live all over the country. As Kikuyus in the diaspora, our cash crop is peace. When I hear Gachagua talk about violence, it worries me. Rigathi must remember: ‘Moto huzaa jivu’ fire leaves only ashes,” said Kiunjuri.
Farouk Kibet, an aide to President Ruto, hinted at a new alliance in the offing within the Broad-based coalition and warned Uasin Gishu residents against joining any planned protests.
“I’m sounding a warning: we do not want protests in Eldoret. Eldoret is a peaceful town, and we won’t allow a few elements to destroy the peace we’ve fought so hard to keep,” Kibet said.
