Not Chasing Clout- Wetangula Intervenes After MPs Clash Over Gachagua's Flight To Mombasa

The decision by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to fly commercially from Nairobi to Mombasa where he officially opened the International Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya sparked discussion across various quarters, even in Parliament.

On Wednesday, June 12, Members of Parliament (MP) collided over the matter, with South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro terming it an embarrassing situation for Gachagua to board a Kenya Airways flight to the coastal city at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) carrying a blue suitcase himself.

While taking to the floor of the House, Osoro, who is also the National Assembly Majority Whip, appeared to share sentiments by some Kenyans who were confused regarding his choice of travel despite being the country's second-in-command.

"This House passed last year's Budget (2023/24) and they allocated funds to every arm of government. The Executive got their vote, and in particular, the Presidency got a budget to help them run their affairs. 

Bird's eye view of Parliament as of June 6, 2024. /PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

"Every member of this House and even members of the public know very well that each office is well equipped with a team of people...that helps the Executive members to move around, like the Deputy President. It was a shame, honourable Speaker, to see His Excellency moving around carrying a bag," Osoro slammed.

The lawmaker claimed that Gachagua's office was carrying out a Public Relations (PR) exercise as photos of Gachagua boarding the passenger plane, his bag in tow, went viral on social media amidst constant chatter by the Kenya Kwanza government about cutting costs, among other 'austerity measures'.

Osoro believed that the staff members of the Office of the Deputy President should be held accountable for the funds and the move to allow Gachagua to travel like an ordinary Kenyan to Mombasa.

"In as much as one wants to pull some PR stunts, and I say this with tremendous respect, it is about time we question the members of staff that work with the Deputy President. Where were they when he was carrying the bag?

"Where were they when they were taking pictures and some of them standing behind him as he pulled the bag, which looked very empty, I think it must have been bought from the airport," he added.

Osoro's comments did not sit well with Dagoretti South MP, John Kiarie, faulting him for mocking the PR profession and using it as an accusation against the DP.

"I would like for the Whip to understand that PR as a practice in itself is a very respectable profession, but most importantly, you also have to understand that the Deputy President is on record saying that he is a product of the drama festival. He has acted on stage in plays even at the University of Nairobi," Kiarie set the record straight.

"So if he decides to put up a play, it is not the place of a Whip to call him out on putting up a PR show."

Kiarie remarked that DP Gachagua was an advocate in supporting creative talent in Kenya's showbiz, content creation and entertainment industry, evidenced by his attendance at musician Bahati's reality TV show dubbed The Bahati Empire last week.

He believed the creatives were doing diligent work in their respective crafts, no matter the extent they went to popularize their craft in the era of social media. Osoro thus asked National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, to rule Osoro out of order.

"The Deputy President is very serious about supporting the talents in this country. Only a few days ago, he was at the launch of the Bahati show, we might have had the continuation of the same show on the runway at JKIA.

"I was seeking to find out if the Whip is in order to take a mickey at very serious professions; PR, actors and even the people who chase clout for content for TikTok are also doing a serious job. I would want you to find the Whip out of order totally, Mr Speaker, from deviating from the issues as directed," he urged.

Wetangula however silenced both lawmakers, asserting that there was no clout-chasing, nor PR stunt Gachagua was aiming for while deciding on his choice of travel, saying "The act of a Deputy President towing a travel bag on a runway is not a display of talent. And it cannot be."

DP Rigathi Gachagua was at the launch of the Bahati show, we might have had the continuation of the same show on the runway at JKIA- MP John Kiarie.#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/fRhcDCheaG — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) June 12, 2024

Gachagua’s choice of opting to use a commercial flight for his travel also came amid claims that the DP has been facing challenges accessing military helicopters. In a recent incident, Gachagua arrived at an event attended by President William Ruto in a private chopper, a departure from the military helicopters he was accustomed to using.

Rigathi attended the Akorino Annual Prayer Conference 2024 held at Nakuru Boys’ High School in Nakuru County. He arrived late after President Ruto in a private chopper, causing a significant shift in the arrival protocols at the conference due to his delay.

Gachagua made his entrance nearly an hour after the service had begun, prompting a reshuffle in the seating arrangements. In his speech the DP had to apologize to President Ruto for coming in late, citing transport issues and adverse weather conditions.

“I want to apologize to you for coming late you know I am not an indiscipline person. I was a uniformed officer and, in your government, I am the most disciplined person. I had some trouble with my transport arrangements and then we had weather issues where the take-off was delayed. I was stuck between Longonot and Naivasha for two hours,” he explained.

Besides the Nakuru incident, other reports claimed that DP Gachagua had faced multiple instances of being denied access to military helicopters for official duties.