Sicily Kariuki defends Gachagua, says he was misled to attack Uhuru
By David Nthua, August 25, 2025Former Health CS Sicily Kariuki has defended the Democracy for Citizens’ Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua over concerns that he misused his power to aimlessly attack former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking to Kameme TV on Monday, August 25, 2025, Kariuki said Gachagua was misled by people around him and trapped by the principle of collective responsibility in government.
Kariuki said that during his time as Deputy President, Gachagua was often tasked with carrying the political burden of attacking critics and shielding the administration from opposition.
“The People’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua talked too much. When I asked why he was talking that tough and attacking former President Uhuru Kenyatta, I was told that it was the task he had been delegated.
‘There is something called collective responsibility in the government. It is very costly because even when you don’t agree with the Head of State, you must do what the President is saying,” Kariuki said.
Gachagua’s apology to Kenyans
According to Kariuki, Gachagua later recognised the weight of his words and sought forgiveness from both Uhuru Kenyatta and Kenyans after leaving government.
“But now Gachagua, after exiting government, came and asked for forgiveness from Uhuru and Kenyans. Actually, he said he lied to them,” she added.
Kariuki argued that Gachagua’s turnaround demonstrates that he was not acting independently during his harsh criticism of Uhuru, but rather was echoing the agenda of those in power at the time.
Breaking ranks with Ruto
Kariuki also pointed out the moment she believes Gachagua started showing independence when he contradicted President Ruto’s stance on Gen Z protesters.
“In fact, the day I saw Gachagua contradict the government was when he issued a statement contradicting his boss on the Gen Zs in Mombasa. When Ruto called the Gen Zs criminals, Gachagua issued his statement in Mombasa,” Kariuki recounted.
Her remarks come amid renewed debate on Gachagua’s political positioning, with some painting him as a divisive figure while others view him as a leader who was misled but later sought redemption.
Kariuki insisted that history should be fair in judging Gachagua’s role, saying he too was a victim of systemic political manipulation.