Gachagua: Those crying tribalism are seeking a way to dodge real issues
By Steve Ireri, August 3, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly criticised politicians and commentators who, he says, use tribalism as a tool to distract from Kenya’s pressing problems.
Speaking at a town hall meeting attended by Kenyans from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Dallas on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Gachagua accused leaders who bring up tribalism of deliberately evading accountability and avoiding confronting uncomfortable truths.
“Let me tell you, the people who are trying to talk about tribalism want to run away from the issues of the day. They do not want to answer the issues we are asking for, so they want to hide behind the narrative of ‘oh, some people are tribal’. And we will not allow it. We will have to deal with the facts as they are,” he said.
Gachagua insisted that President William Ruto cannot escape responsibility by hiding behind tribalism, especially regarding allegations that security forces have used excessive force against protesters.
“William Ruto cannot run away from the fact that he has killed our children and that he has shamelessly and publicly given an order that people should be shot in the leg. Those are facts he cannot hide behind tribalism and his community,” he stated.
The former deputy president was clear that the actions of individuals should not be attributed to entire communities.
He refuted claims that he had targeted the Kalenjin community in his criticism of William Ruto, insisting that the community bore no blame, and that his remarks were solely directed at Ruto, whom he described as the perpetrator of heinous crimes.
“Nobody from his Kalenjin community has killed our children, and nobody can blame the community. It is an individual person known by name. Let us not hide behind communities and tribalism and try to run away from facts,” Gachagua said firmly.
He further criticised efforts to silence peaceful dissent by demonising protesters and their supporters.
He warned President Ruto that he may be barking up the wrong tree, asserting that he is not the kind of person who would retreat from criticism simply because the head of state has resorted to calling him names.
“And when people are peaceful, you want to demonise them so that they can stop speaking. I think William Ruto was honest with himself. He would have known by now that Gachagua is one person who cannot be silenced into silence. So even if you call me names, I will stay focused,” he added.
Gachagua’s address came during a town hall gathering where Kenyans from many ethnic groups, including those from Ukambani, Maasailand, the Mulembe nation, the Abagusii, and the Generation Z youth cohort, were present.
He used the opportunity to shut down claims that his United States tour was tribal in nature for allegedly engaging only with members of the Kikuyu community, stating that those peddling such narratives were, in fact, the real tribalists.
“I am here in this town hall with all tribes from Kenya. Our cousins from Ukambani, people from Maa. I am so happy that everybody is here. This is Kenya and the Kenya that we want,” he concluded.