Gachagua is not betraying Kenya, he is asking the right questions
By Aloys Michael, August 10, 2025In the volatile landscape of Kenyan politics, speaking out is often mistaken for betrayal.
This appears to be the case with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently drawn sharp criticism from sections of government loyalists for “tainting Kenya’s image” on the international stage.
But amid the noise, we must ask: is Gachagua betraying the nation, or is he simply refusing to stay silent in the face of uncomfortable truths?
Gachagua is no saint; his political record is as contested as anyone’s. But his recent comments have clearly resonated with many Kenyans, especially the youth, who feel disillusioned, betrayed, and increasingly unsafe in their own country. While critics claim he is undermining Kenya’s reputation, it is important to ask: what image is there left to taint when Kenyans are being abducted and killed with no accountability?
Let us be honest. It was not Gachagua who dragged Kenya’s name into the mud. That job was done long before he opened his mouth. The abductions of unarmed citizens, mostly Gen Z protestors, and reports of extrajudicial killings have sparked nationwide fear and international concern. These crimes did not start with tweets or speeches. They started with actions, or more precisely, inaction, from those charged with protecting life and upholding justice.
The police have publicly distanced themselves from the abductions, with senior officials denying involvement in what appears to be a coordinated campaign to silence dissent. This raises a chilling question: if it is not the police, then who is it? Who has the power to surveil, snatch, and disappear Kenyan citizens in broad daylight? Who is abducting and, in some cases, torturing or killing Gen Z protesters?
These are not rhetorical questions. They are urgent, and the country deserves answers.
Taming rogue orders
The silence from key government handlers is deafening. Instead of accountability, we have seen defensive posturing and scapegoating. They would rather frame Gachagua’s statements as treasonous than confront the real issue: the erosion of trust between the state and its people.
Gachagua’s inquiry into Kenya’s relationship with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is also well within the rights and expectations of a national leader. Accusations of Kenya being used as a covert base for foreign paramilitary interests are deeply troubling. Dismissing these concerns as political sabotage is not just dishonest, it is dangerous. Every Kenyan has a right to know whether their country is being entangled in foreign conflicts without consent or clarity.
Moreover, the “shoot to kill” orders that have been floating in government circles do more to damage Kenya’s international standing than any politician’s criticism ever could. Such rhetoric suggests a government at war with its people. And if anyone should be defending Kenya’s image, it should start by defending Kenyans’ lives, not suppressing voices that ask questions.
It is deeply telling that Gachagua, once seen as part of the establishment, now finds himself aligned with the cries of a frustrated generation. Perhaps his motivations are political; most politicians’ are. But that doesn’t make the issues he raises any less real. When accountability is absent and fear becomes governance, silence becomes complicity.
Let us be clear: no one is asking Gachagua to be a moral compass. But in this moment, his refusal to sanitise evil deserves recognition, not ridicule. He is articulating what many Kenyans are thinking: Why are young people being hunted for protesting? Who benefits from their silence? And why has the government failed to reassure its citizens?
In times of crisis, patriotism is not about blind loyalty. It is about asking hard questions and demanding better. Gachagua is not betraying Kenya; he is confronting the betrayal that already happened.
And for that, he should not be silenced. He should be heard.