Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has attracted the ire of former Kiambu governor William Kabogo over his remarks about retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking to vernacular radio stations in Mt Kenya Region at his official residence on Sunday, August 4, 2024, Gachagua absolved Uhuru of the economic woes bedevilling Kenya – contrary to his usual fierce criticism of Uhuru’s handling of the economy during his tenure in power.
The DP added that henceforth he would be defending Uhuru.
“Uhuru Kenyatta showed up at Kasarani, handed over the sword, and stepped aside. What more are we asking from him? We have been in government for two years now, we cannot continue blaming Uhuru,” Gachagua said.
“Uhuru Kenyatta should be given his retirement benefits, cars and security. We used to blame him for destroying the economy, but it has now been two years since we took the government. I will not allow anyone to drag Uhuru’s name into the problems we are facing as a country, I will be defending him,” he added.
Reacting to Gachagua’s remarks, Kabogo slammed the DP pointing out his hypocrisy in light of the fact that he is the one who led smear campaigns against the former president.
“In two years , who has mentioned Uhuru than RG? Why the turn around. Hypocrisy of the highest order. Who caused invasion of North lands? Give us a break,” Kabogo posted on X on Monday August 5, 2024.
Reconciliation
Gachagua started reaching out to Uhuru for reconciliation following his woes in government.
The DP, who is currently facing a plot to impeach him, has publicly apologized to Uhuru, claiming that he was misled to vilify the former head of state.
In May this year, Gachagua sensationally stated that the Mt Kenya region was misled into denigrating their king.
“Come rain come sunshine, we will never again vilify our king. We came here and vilified Uhuru Kenyatta. I repented after that. Did I not repent? Did you forgive me? We will never again vilify the king of the Kikuyu community.
“Let us teach our youth never again to be used by anyone to vilify our king. Let us love each other so that we get our rightful share of the Kenyan cake,” Gachagua told a rally at Kimende, Kiambu County, on his way back from an engagement in Kinangop, Nyandarua County.
Gachagua’s shift is particularly striking given his past role in leading a lynch mob against the Kenyatta family, including former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
Now, with a reconciliatory tone, he has sworn to unite with the former head of state in the interest of the populous Mt Kenya region.
