No One Would Talk About Me- Gachagua After Shortest-Ever Speech

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua praised the massive magnitude of his political image after he on Tuesday, April 4 delivered what many would consider his shortest speech since ascending to the second-most powerful seat in the country, which went viral.

He was speaking later that evening when he hosted young Kenyans who emerged victorious during the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards held in South Africa.

Gachagua had disclosed that his day-to-day activities are what lead to him being a constant feature in the media across the country and that he would be easily forgotten the second he was found to be doing nothing.

DP Rigathi Gachagua's speech today...was short!#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/y0CsDSaNC5 — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) April 4, 2023

Revisiting his 40-second speech at the Social Protection Conference at the Kenya School of Government, Gachagua noted that Kenyans from all walks of life were so eager to wait for him to say something that would make headlines and the fact that he had nothing to say was a headline in itself.

“I’m always in the media, everyday because I get things moving. If I was not doing anything nobody would talk about me, and nobody would even notice I’m around.

"Today I’ve gone to a function with the President and said I will say nothing today, it is everywhere; which means I am somebody in this country, and people wait for me to say something, and the fact that I’ve said nothing is news,” he explained.

Gachagua further noted that he was not bothered by the constant criticism about him as he is focused on delivering his mandate.

The former Mathira Member of Parliament however argued that the relentless attacks on him and media coverage helped him keep himself in check in terms of duties and responsibilities as the Deputy President of the country.

He told the young Kenyans that more spears being thrown at them are attributes to doing good work on their part and that one would not be considered without value.

“So the more barbs are thrown in your direction; you’re on the right track. Never get worried about critics; nobody will criticise you when you’re a non-performer. When you have no idea at all, nobody will bother about you.”

He added: “There are many people here nobody even knows they’re around. But when you’re making progress, impacting people in whatever form, you draw a lot of attention; praise and criticism. The more criticism, the better you’re doing.”

Gachagua began his speech by greeting those in attendance, then shocked everyone within seconds by inviting President William Ruto to speak.

"Your Excellency, I don't have much to say today," Gachagua addressed with a wry smile to members of the audience.

In the speech that lasted a near-50 seconds long, the Deputy President acknowledged President William Ruto's efforts in bringing about peace in the country so that it can be productive. He also acknowledged Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga for calling off the countrywide protests.

"When Kenya is peaceful, businesses are uninterrupted and Kenyans are busy, I don't have much to say," he added.

"It is now my privilege to ask you to be upstanding as I invite His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr William Ruto," Gachagua noted as the audience laughed in response, reeling in shock at one of the shortest speeches made by the politician in his career.

Gachagua over the past few weeks has been known for speeches that have majored in jibes at the opposition for among other things refusing to accept their loss to Ruto in the 2022 general elections as well as their calls for mass action protests, which Azimio later shelved.

Meanwhile, from the stiff contest of 126 nominees, eight Kenyans emerged winners in the categories of capacity building, agriculture, journalism, social enterprise, education, environmental and climate sustainability, science, and surgery.

The Forty Under 40 Africa Award winners Gachagua hosted alongside Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peninah Malonza included:

1. Joan Musumba, Managing Director of Little Big Talents (Environmental and climate sustainability)
2. Gilbert Ang’ana, the CEO of Accent Leadership Group Ltd. (Capacity Building)
3. Wangari Kuria, Founder of Farmer on Fire Ltd. (Agriculture)
4. Elijah Nyaanga, the Founder and CEO of Scholar Media Group Africa (SMEGA) (Journalism)
5. Isaac Mwangi, a social entrepreneur running Voluntours Adventures and Anyoraa Camp Maasai Mara (Social Enterprise)
6. Linda Odhiambo, Founder and Director of Lindtech College (Education)
7. Dr Nchafatso Obonyo, Graduate Research Fellow at Critical Care Research Group-The University of Queensland and Clinical researcher at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) (Science)
8. Dr Steve Mutiso from Aga Khan University Hospital (Surgery)

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (center) posing for a photo with the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards winners. /DPPS