Gachagua maintains Ruto’s government has ‘shareholders,’ Manyora calls him out

By Peter Ochieng

Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua on Friday maintained that president William Ruto’s administration has ‘shareholders’ in relation to how Kenyans from various regions voted for him during last year’s polls.

The controversial remarks have in the past been part and parcel of the DP’s public addresses, choosing to repeat the stance during United Democratic Alliance (UDA) national governing council at the Bomas of Kenya.

“Wananikashifu nikiongea mambo ya shares, mimi sina maneno. Kenya ni yetu sisi sote, na kila Mkenya apate maendeleo kwa sababu analipa kodi. Rais ni baba ya Wakenya wote, afanyie Wakenya wote kazi (They criticize me when I talk about shares, I have no issue. Kenya is for all of us and every Kenyan deserves to get development because they pay tax. The president is a father to all Kenyans, let him work for Kenyans),” Gachagua said.

He added, “But in the leadership of President William Ruto, there is some shareholding. Na rais wale shareholders halisi katika uongozi wako ni wale wameketi hapa leo. Na ndio tunasema rais afanyie Wakenya wote kazi, kila sehemu ya Kenya ipate maendeleo, lakini wale wa kumsaidia ndio afaulu ni wale wanamwamini, waliounga yeye mkono na wanamwelewa (And president the real shareholders in your administration are the ones seated here today. That is why we are saying the president should work for all Kenyans so that all regions get development. But those to assist him are the ones who trust him, they supported and understand him).”

He went on, “In your leadership, these are the true shareholders and they must occupy the right place because they believed in you, your policies and ability to steer this country to the next level.”

His sentiments attracted the wrath of political analyst and University of Nairobi don Herman Manyora, who warned that such remarks are not good for the country.

“This shareholding nonsense can burn the country,” he wrote on X.