Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has expressed doubt about his successor, Kithure Kindiki’s commitment to advocating for the needs of ordinary citizens. Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has stated his successor, Kithure Kindiki, is unlikely to challenge President William Ruto. Why did Gachagua express doubt in Kindiki? Speaking during a church service, Gachagua claimed he was the only one advocating for Kenyan citizen’s wellbeing within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Gachagua expressed doubt in Kindiki’s ability, asserting that, unlike an elected leader, Kindiki’s appointment by President William Ruto limits his ability to challenge the president’s decisions. Gachagua suggested that his successor is merely an employee of the president, obligated to uphold the head of state’s decisions regardless of their impact on the country. “I want to ask our government: We were elected by the people, so let us listen to them. I was the only one speaking in the government.
The one who was given my seat can’t speak because he is the president’s employee. There is nothing he can do. They say what the president says,” Gachagua said. The former deputy president further expressed shock at lawmakers who approved the Finance Bill 2024 despite public opposition. He claimed he was the only Cabinet member opposed to the controversial bill, saying he listened closely to Kenyans’ concerns during street protests. “I told the president that Kenyans want nothing to do with the Finance Bill 2024.
I pleaded with him not to push Kenyans as they would cause us trouble. The president, however, disagreed and said that we can’t do what is popular, we do what is right,” Gachagua revealed. Gachagua urged the Kenya Kwanza government to listen to Kenyans’ concerns and fulfil their demands. Was Kindiki’s speech rejected in Murang’a?
This came after mourners at the funeral of the late MCA Mark Wainaina ignored Kindiki’s tribute, heckling the deputy president’s representative into silence. Kindiki’s emissary faced protests from the audience, who began jeering as soon as the deputy president’s tribute was mentioned.
He was determined to push the tribute through the noise, but the hecklers became unruly, prompting intervention from a clergy member leading the funeral service. After calming the audience, the clergyman requested the speaker to deliver Kindiki’s speech directly to the family.
by Faith Chandianya