"Useless slogans": Kindiki strikes back at Gachagua's 'soprano' remarks

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki launched a sharp public response targeting former DP Rigathi Gachagua over remarks directed at him

- Kindiki accused Gachagua of threatening his way into the running mate position and sabotaging the government he served

- The DP warned Gachagua against misleading Mount Kenya residents with what he called useless slogans and chants

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stinging public rebuke against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of dishonesty, greed, and deliberate efforts to destabilise the government during his time in office.

Kindiki's statement, addressed directly to Gachagua, came in response to remarks Gachagua had made about the Deputy President's voice, which Kindiki dismissed as evidence of his political emptiness.

Kindiki's Accusations Against Gachagua

The Deputy President catalogued what he described as a pattern of misconduct stretching across Gachagua's public life, pointing to his exit from the civil service as a District Officer, his tenure as Mathira MP, and his two years as Deputy President as a record of underperformance.

"A disgraceful exit from public service as a DO, a most unremarkable WANTAM as Mathira MP, and your wasted two years as Deputy President seems not to have made any impact on your deplorable behaviour," Kindiki said.

He alleged that Gachagua joined President William Ruto's political team while facing charges of theft of public funds, and that he subsequently organised demonstrations in Mathira to pressure the party leadership into naming him as running mate.

Kindiki further claimed that Gachagua's conduct in government was characterised by greed that led to a falling-out with virtually all leaders from the Mount Kenya region, including those closest to him politically.

Kindiki Dismisses Alcohol Policy Claims

On specific policy matters, Kindiki rejected Gachagua's suggestion that he had overruled him on alcohol-related issues during his time as Interior Cabinet Secretary.

"As Interior Minister during the two years of your colourless tenure, I never involved myself in politics even for a day," Kindiki said, insisting that his focus had been on combating banditry, terrorism, and crime.

He accused Gachagua of spending that same period building hotels, acquiring land, and inciting members of the public against the government he was simultaneously serving as Deputy President.

Kindiki said he had privately urged Gachagua to repair his relationship with President Ruto and other leaders, but that the advice was ignored. He maintained that he refused to participate in any effort to undermine a government he had helped form.

"I let you be, but I refused to join you in sabotaging a government we had formed," Kindiki said.

Closing his statement with a direct warning to Gachagua, Kindiki said he would not dignify the personal attacks with a comparable response, but drew a firm line on the political messaging being directed at the Mount Kenya electorate.

"I will not allow you to mislead the people of Mount Kenya with your useless slogans and chants," he said.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.