The following opinion was submitted by Jackson Kariuki Njogu, a businessman from Kiambu County. In this piece, he expresses concern over recent statements made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and questions the silence of Mt Kenya leaders serving in President William Ruto’s administration. Mt Kenya leaders in President Ruto’s government face mounting criticism for their silence as Rigathi Gachagua pushes a divisive ethnic narrative.
For the past few months, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been making claims that are shocking to the world. The claims are wild.
They include death threats to his family and the entire Mt Kenya region.
But looking keenly into the claims, one wonders if they are even worth responding to.
The latest one was that people from the Kikuyu community are being targeted and removed from the Kenya Kwanza government.
These claims are false.
No one is being targeted for removal from government because of his or her tribe.
If anything, the Kikuyus are the majority in all sectors in this government.
Second, the claim that his family and the region are being persecuted in a well-planned scheme is false again.
Those who are being targeted are on the wrong side of the law, under investigation and possible prosecution over various issues, the latest being the recent chaos witnessed during the June 25 protests.
We did not hear leaders from other regions claim their people were being targeted for crimes they committed.
These claims are baseless and useless and, in my view, deserve no attention.
But that said and done, it is clear that Gachagua and his bunch of leaders are weaponising some of his blinded followers, possibly for a serious tragedy to come.
They need to be responded to. And the right or first people to do so are those from the region and currently serving in government.
Why are the likes of Cabinet Secretaries Alice Wahome, William Kabogo, Mutahi Kagwe, Rebecca Miano, Eric Muuga, Mercy Wanjau, and more than 16 Principal Secretaries from the region silent while President William Ruto is being massacred by lies?
Can’t they speak the truth without fear or favour? Why are they in the government?
Safe for Lee Kinyanjui and Geoffrey Ruku, who have been vocal and issued comments on the matter at hand, the rest are mum.
This leaves us with many questions on what the president is benefiting by having this lot in government while he is being fried by lies from Gachagua.
He needs to tell them the truth: they must defend the government or join Gachagua.
The president can also take the positions from this group and reward other regions like Western, Nyanza, and Coast, who are ready to work with him.
It is shocking that the likes of John Mbadi, Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Beatrice Askul, and a few others who recently joined the Kenya Kwanza government are the ones seen defending and articulating issues to Kenyans.
If the rest did what these so-called experts are doing, many would believe that something is happening in the country.
As it stands, the Gachagua narrative — especially in the Mt Kenya region — seems to be sinking deep among many as those in government watch helplessly.
Why can’t we see action being taken to correct these lies? What are we waiting for, and why?
I and the majority of my people feel it is time the president took action.
It is clear they are mum while we swallow lies on a daily basis.
Have their mouths been shut, or do they fear something — and why?
Mr. President, the ball is in your court, and you must take action.
Tell them. Let them talk as you, your deputy, Musalia Mudavadi, Aden Duale, and the few officials are doing — without fear.
They are either with you or with Gachagua in this.
The choices are clear and must be taken.
Over to you, sir, and we are not begging. We are simply tired. If no action is taken now, be ready for the worst. It is not a threat, you know it, sir! Jackson Kariuki Njogu Businessman in Kiambu