Kiambu - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly expressed regret for his past opposition to former president Uhuru Kenyatta during the 2022 General Election. In a recent address, Gachagua acknowledged that he and his supporters were misled into attacking Kenyatta, leading to significant political division within the Mt. Kenya region.
Gachagua, who spoke amid rumors of a fallout within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, stressed the importance of unity in Mt. Kenya and vowed never to oppose the region's "kingpin" again. "As I said, we will never again come against our kingpin. We were misled, we attacked and shouted down President Uhuru Kenyatta. I requested an apology—did you forgive me? Never again will we attack our leader, never again," Gachagua stated. .
He emphasized the unique challenges faced by the Mt. Kenya region, noting that internal conflicts are uncommon in other communities. "Let us love each other. Other communities do not fight or hate one another. But there is always war here in our mountain. There is no day we will ever come against our kingpin like that. Tell our young people not to accept to be used to fight our Kingpin," he urged.
In a shift from his previous rhetoric, Gachagua also advised against animosity towards the wealthy, a sentiment that marked the UDA's "bottom-up" campaign strategy. He warned residents not to harbor jealousy or hatred towards those with wealth, suggesting that affluent individuals might be beneficial in times of need. "Don't stab your brother from behind. Don't be jealous of your sister that she has been married to a rich person. .
That rich man could be the one to educate your children," he added.Gachagua's recent remarks come after he extended an olive branch to his political adversaries from the region, including Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Party's Jeremiah Kioni, both associated with the Azimio coalition. He attributed the discord among Mt. Kenya voters to external influences and pledged to maintain peace within the community.
The Deputy President's call for unity and reconciliation marks a significant departure from the divisive politics that characterized the 2022 elections. As he seeks to rally the region behind him, Gachagua's newfound stance on economic solidarity and political cohesion reflects a broader attempt to heal past wounds and foster a more inclusive political environment in Mt. Kenya.
