Salasya blasts Gachagua over tribal remarks, says economic pain affects all Kenyans
By Ascah Mwango, July 21, 2025Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has lashed out at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over controversial remarks he made during a recent trip to the United States, accusing him of promoting ethnic division and misleading the diaspora community.
Gachagua had urged the Mt Kenya diaspora community to withhold remitting money back to Kenya until his political team returns to power, a statement that sparked backlash from leaders across the country.
In a strongly worded post on his X account on Sunday, July 20, 2025, Salasya called out Gachagua for suggesting that only the Kikuyu community is suffering under President William Ruto’s administration.
“Here, cousin, you haven’t spoken well. Let us embrace being Kenyan. Here in Mumias, Kikuyus, Luos, Kambas, Luhyas and others are all suffering due to the tough economy. Even here in Kakamega, all businesspeople are struggling, and they are Luos, Kalenjins, Luhyas, Kambas, and others,” Salasya stated.
Salasya insisted that economic hardship cuts across all communities and is not unique to Mt Kenya. He accused Gachagua of exaggerating the plight of his community for political sympathy.
“When the economy is good, it’s good for all of us. When it’s bad, it’s bad for all of us. Riggy, you are a good man, but don’t fake it too much. We are all in business, even I’m in business, and we are all affected by the bad policies this rogue government you helped bring to power is pushing,” he said.
The MP also pointed out that while many businesses may be owned by Kikuyus, they rely heavily on customers from other communities to thrive.
“Kikuyus might be owning businesses, but other communities remain their loyal customers. Any business without customers is a failure,” he noted.
Salasya wrapped up his statement by emphasising that President Ruto will be removed from office by a united Kenyan voice, not tribal hatred.
“We are going to take Ruto home as Kenyans who believe he has failed the country, not because we hate Kikuyus,” he said.
Gachagua’s utterances
Salasya’s outburst was in reaction to Gachagua’s recent comments in the U.S., where he told Mt Kenya diaspora residents to stop sending money home and wait until his team is back in power. He argued that the Mt Kenya community is the backbone of Kenya’s economy and warned of serious consequences if they are sidelined.
“When you destroy this community, you destroy Kenya,” Gachagua said, blaming President Ruto for declaring a war on the mountain.
He claimed the community’s business confidence has dropped, leading to a decline in investment and tax remittance.
“Since William Ruto declared war on the mountain, the economy is almost collapsing because people have stopped paying taxes. People have stopped investing. They are waiting for the government, just like you are holding your money here. That is what people are doing, even ourselves,” he told the audience.
Gachagua praised the Mt Kenya people as naturally aggressive, enterprising, and hardworking, crediting them for driving Kenya’s economy.
“We are very aggressive, we are very enterprising, and we are very outgoing. And that is why we are in every town in Kenya,” he said.