Gachagua’s Call for Mount Kenya Unity Sparks Controversy

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed his surprise at those criticizing his efforts to reach out to former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the sake of unity.

Gachagua stated that his actions are in response to the call from the Mount Kenya community, including religious leaders and businesspeople, who have urged him to promote unity.

“They have told me, ‘Because you are the highest-ranking leader from Mount Kenya in the government, lead us in uniting our community. We want unity and cohesion,'” Gachagua said on Saturday, October 7, 2023, while speaking in Tigania, Meru.

The Deputy President was referring to his Friday statement directed at former President Uhuru Kenyatta, with whom he has had significant political differences.

Gachagua has been complaining of being undermined and mistreated by the Kenyatta government.

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Furthermore, he has criticized Kenyatta for allegedly destroying Kenya’s economy when he and Dr. William Ruto were inaugurated as President and Deputy President, respectively, in September 2022, claiming they inherited a bankrupt government.

However, Gachagua’s recent actions seem to take a different direction, as he pledged to reach out to Kenyatta.

Moreover, this move has been interpreted as a strategy to seek a reconciliation handshake between him and the fourth Kenyan President.

“I wonder why, when the Western Kenya community, led by its leaders, came together to unite its people, it becomes a big issue when Mount Kenya announces unity,” Gachagua questioned.

According to Gachagua, his decision to reach out to Kenyatta and other opposition leaders is aimed at involving the Mount Kenya community in President Ruto’s government to secure its interests.

However, Deputy President has faced criticism for focusing on regional politics rather than national politics, considering that he is the second most prominent and senior leader in the country.