Respect: Gachagua Calls Out Ruto For Insulting Kenyans Criticising Him

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, December 15 reminded President William Ruto to respect Kenyans, especially those who elected him to office in 2022.

Gachagua was speaking in his hometown in Nyeri where he attended a church service at the Ishamara Baptist Church in Mukurweini Constituency.

He was responding to recent developments whereby President Ruto was in the spotlight for using harsh language against his critics. Gachagua reminded the president to respect the electorate, noting that they are his employers and have a right to voice their concerns on matters affecting them.

"If it is related to the cattle, you are saying these people are stupid, there's no need to insult people. It's not necessary, especially those who employed you, gave you votes, did good for you, made you a king...there is no need to abuse the people of Kenya. Just listen to what they are saying, if you don't like it, it is okay," he addressed.

Rigathi Gachagua during a church service on Sunday, December 15, 2024. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

"Just the other day I saw pastors being insulted...that there are some who have not studied. Some of us have no capacity to know whether a pastor has studied or not. We just listen to the Word. There is no need to be abusive or use vulgar language, just respect the people of Kenya because it is the right thing to do."

His remarks follow President Ruto's controversial reference to some of his opponents as "stupid" for opposing his projects. In particular, he called on those without knowledge about livestock rearing to leave the conversation to experts, remarks which were viewed as a subtle jab at Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka.

Ruto on Tuesday, December 10 lamented the existence of evil spirits in the country, again, accusing them of infecting those leaders and manipulating them to the point of spreading falsehoods to discredit his administration.

“There is an evil spirit in Kenya that is resident in some leaders. They churn out falsehood, they oppose everything for the sake of opposing. I mean foot and mouth disease, and PPI are diseases which we have been fighting ever since I was born it is nothing new. 

"So anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate FMD and PPI is simply mad and unreasonable and possibly stupid,” Ruto stated.

Meanwhile, Gachagua at the same time totally ruled out the possibility of amending his relationship with President Ruto and his former political allies, confessing that the recent impeachment by Parliament had damaged him and left him scarred.

Amid a recent wave of handshakes which saw President Ruto amend his relationship with Raila Odinga and more recently, Uhuru Kenyatta, Gachagua also quashed speculation that he would eventually also come together with his former political enemies.

"Betrayal in our community is a taboo, it is an abomination and it is an act in this community that is never forgiven. Once you do it, there is no remedy. The matter is closed," the former DP said.

Adding "The mountain has moved on, though in humiliation and shame. But there is no remedy. So those analysts who are trying to analyse what will happen, that is the answer for you, and because you are here; time will tell."

Gachagua's latest sentiments come barely a week after President Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta met at the latter's home Gatundu, with political analysts observing that the pair's meeting would complicate matters further for the impeached Deputy President, particularly in the Mount Kenya region.

During the Sunday service, Gachagua also called for President Ruto to desist from labelling the Mt Kenya region as tribalists. "We don't have tribalism because we voted for you and you did not belong to this tribe," he reminded the President.

"Leave us alone. Do whatever you want but stop insulting the community. If nothing else, respect this community for their kindness towards you, just respect them. You don't have to do anything else."

The former deputy president also addressed the recent attack on him in Limuru, as he faulted Inspector General Douglas Kanja for failing to arrest any suspects, weeks after the incident.

Gachagua also claimed there was an agenda against some of his allies like Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa, who was called in for questioning on the matter.