Gachagua Criticizes Double Standards in Kenyan Politics

By Robert Mutasi 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised his concerns about what he sees as duplicity in Kenya's political discourse, pointing out that when different leaders talk about unity, they are measured by different standards.

Gachagua said this while attending the funeral service of former NACADA Chief Executive Officer Victor Okioma in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County.

In his strong speech, Gachagua talked about the criticism that he often faces when discussing unity between communities from the Mount Kenya region.

"Natembeya is lucky because when he says people should unite, no one bothers him, but when I say in the mountain, they say I am a tribalist," Gachagua said, referring to George Natembeya, Governor of Trans Nzoia.

The Deputy President's comments come amid ongoing debates about tribalism and unity in Kenyan politics.

He questioned the difference in how the call of various leaders of unity is perceived according to their region or their political ideology.

“How many sets of rules are there in Kenya? Is there a rule for the mountain and different rules for the rest of Kenya?” Gachagua asked, highlighting what he believes is injustice when he defends the interests of the Mt. Kenya region.

However, Gachagua remained firm, insisting that his intention is to develop national unity without abandoning the needs of his native region.

This is not the first time that Gachagua has found himself in the middle of controversy regarding his remarks about the interests of Mount Kenya.

Critics have often accused him of focusing too much on regional issues at the expense of national balance.

However, his supporters argue that he is only standing up to defend the people who elected him and that defending his territory does not equate to tribalism.

Victor Okioma, whose funeral provided the basis for Gachagua's speech, was remembered as a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly during his NACADA tenure to combat drug and alcohol abuse in the country.

His death marks a great loss for the region and the nation, and the service was attended by many leaders such as politicians.