Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Expresses Surprise at Critics, Reaches Out to Former President Uhuru Kenyatta for Unity
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed his astonishment at those criticizing his decisions to reach out to former President Uhuru Kenyatta in the name of unity.
Gachagua mentioned that this move is a result of the call from the Mount Kenya community, including religious leaders and business figures, urging him to foster unity.
“They have told me: You are the highest-ranking leader from Mount Kenya in the government; lead us in unifying our community. We want unity and harmony,” Gachagua said on Saturday, October 7, 2023, while addressing a gathering in Tigania, Meru.
The Deputy President was referring to his Friday statement aimed at former President Uhuru Kenyatta, with whom he has had significant political disagreements.
Gachagua has been vocal about the alleged persecution and mistreatment he has endured from Kenyatta’s government. Moreover, he has criticized Kenyatta for undermining Kenya’s economy, claiming that when he and Dr. William Ruto took office as President and Deputy President in September 2022, they inherited a financially struggling government.
However, Gachagua’s recent actions seem to take a different direction as he has promised to reach out to Kenyatta.
This move has been interpreted as an attempt to seek reconciliation, a “Handshake,” with the fourth President of Kenya.
“I am surprised that when we talk about unity as a community, our critics fill the media with baseless gossip and rumors…I will not cease to unite our Mount Kenya community. This is a duty entrusted to me by the residents who voted for us,” the Deputy President stated.
“Recently, the Western Kenya community, led by their leaders, came together to unite their people. Why does it become a big issue when Mount Kenya announces its intention to unite?” Gachagua questioned.
According to Gachagua, his decision to seek out Kenyatta and other opposition leaders and politicians is aimed at involving the Mount Kenya community in President Ruto’s government to share in its successes.
However, Deputy President Gachagua has faced criticism for leaning towards regional politics instead of national politics, given that he holds the second most prominent leadership position in the country.
