Like Barabbas: Kindiki Hits Out At Gachagua

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, January 29 accused his predecessor and impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of inciting Kenyans through a new wave of political campaigns to oust the current administration in 2027.

Speaking on Wednesday, January 29, during a consultative forum with Tharaka Nithi County leaders in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki likened Gachagua to Barabbas, a controversial figure in the Bible who was released as Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, despite Jesus having no crimes committed.

Look Back: Barabbas is a figure in the New Testament of the Bible, mentioned during the trial of Jesus. According to the Gospels, when Jesus was arrested and brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, the custom at Passover was to release one prisoner to the crowd as an act of goodwill. 

Pilate offered the people a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal who had been imprisoned for insurrection and murder. The crowd, influenced by the chief priests and elders, chose to release Barabbas and demanded Jesus be crucified. As a result, Barabbas was freed, and Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses a delegation from Tharaka Nithi County on January 29, 2025. /KITHURE KINDIKI

Barabbas is often seen as a symbol of humanity’s choice of a criminal over the innocent Christ, and his story highlights the rejection of Jesus by the people in favour of a violent criminal.

"That is how Barabbas secured his release on the day Jesus Christ was put on the cross. The Bible says Barabbas' main job was causing insurrection and inciting the public against the authorities," Kindiki revealed.

Continuing his verbal attack against Gachagua, Kindiki warned that as the time for politics would beckon, it was not going to be easy, asking his predecessor to be ready to prove what he did for Kenyans during his tenure in office and cease the talks about his love for his constituents.

“I am wondering about these people who say they love us. They have never convened one single county including the county they come from to discuss development. What kind of love is that? And must you speak about it? Just do it. We’ll see it. Mwai Kibaki built the Thika Superhighway without speaking Kikuyu or climbing on trees to publicize his love for the people of Gema.

“Because the time for politics will come and those who we’ll compete with, including my brother who was here, will tell us what he did for all the counties of Kenya. He (Gachagua) was deputy president for two years. It is going to be very rough,” Kindiki remarked.

Additionally, Kindiki wondered why making William Ruto a one-term president could excite some leaders when he has already achieved a lot, remarks that were in direct response to Gachagua who spoke Monday during the launch of DAP-K headquarters. He pledged to work with all Kenyans to challenge Ruto’s administration and make any chance of his re-election in the 2027 general election unlikely. 

"Some of the people who have held that office were at the helm for 24 years, some 10 and that is why it will not be a bad thing if Ruto holds it even for five years," Kindiki added.

"There were people who were targeting us yesterday insisting that their job is to make William Ruto a one-term President. Ruto is lucky to be among the five Kenyans who have occupied the seat of President of Kenya."

The DP, known for his measured approach to Mt. Kenya politics, also criticized certain leaders whom he accused of opposing the government despite holding public office—seemingly aiming at Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.

He also claimed that President Ruto has achieved in two years what took former President Kibaki five years to accomplish. ''He dissolved his Cabinet and lost a referendum, yet he remains the most consequential former president. President William Samoei Ruto is facing the same challenges and has remained steadfast in his mission to transform Kenya,'' Kindiki stated.