By Anderson Ojwang
Nigerian novelist and poet Chinua Achebe wrote in his book, Things Fall Apart, “When the dry bones are mentioned, the old feel uneasy.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua could be a conflicted man, and his actions could be in contrast to his words.
Mr. Gachagua has exhibited a dual character when dealing with the leadership from the Luo community, praising one and demonizing the other.
In his calculative mien, Gachagua’s strategy has been to heap praise on one of the community members he views as an asset while at the same time demonizing the other, who passes out as an impediment and a hindrance to his agenda.
Mentor
Mr. Gachagua, in his several speeches, denied claims that he was anti-Luo community and has gone ahead to give glowing tribute to his mentor and one of Kenya’s top provincial administrators, Mr. Samwel Oreta Otieno.
Gachagua has fondly referred to Mr. Oreta as his mentor and a pillar in his growth in the provincial administration.
Truthful as this is, Oreta is respected in his Luo community and, by extension, his Karachuonyo clan. He is a man with a deep heart.
If indeed, Gachagua holds Mr. Oreta in high esteem and with such respect as he claims, then why does he resent and demonize his nephew, the current Permanent Secretary for Internal Security and Administration, Dr. Raymond Ojwang Omollo?
Mr. Oreta and Dr. Omollo’s homes are only four kilometers apart, and there could be no way the uncle is revered by the same person who ridicules and demonizes the nephew at the slightest opportunity that falls on his lap.
Reflection
During the Thanksgiving ceremony for Dr. Omollo in his Karachuonyo village in 2023, Gachagua poured out his heart on the Permanent Secretary for Interior and Public Administration’s slot in the new President William Ruto administration.
Back then, Dr. Omollo was a stranger and an outsider after his community overwhelmingly supported and voted for the Azimio La Umoja Presidential candidate, the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
Mr. Gachagua had his ears and eyes on the powerful and plum post, that of the Interior Ministry, and the decision by President Ruto to pass it to a person he considered an outsider did not sit down well with him.
In verbatim, Gachagua said, “I wanted the position of the Permanent Secretary of Internal Security and Administration to be given to my person, but the president told me, for that post, I already have someone. Let’s talk about the other posts.
I did not know Dr. Omollo then, but I can confirm here that President Ruto made the best choice. Dr. Omollo has served the President and the nation with dedication, honesty and commitment which is above reproach.
I want to say, Dr. Omollo is a great worker and I accept the President’s wisdom to give him the post despite Nyanza having voted for the Azimio Presidential candidate. The President has been vindicated in his choice.”
What a glowing tribute then, and what has changed now?
Gachagua’s description of Dr. Omollo converged with then Interior Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security and Administration and the eventual successor, Prof. Abraham Kithure Kindiki. It is significant to note that both leaders, from Mt. Kenya, gave a genuine, honest opinion and view on the PS.
Prof. Kindiki, in his own words, stated, “Your Excellency, I am here to say that you made no mistake in appointing Raymond. He is trustworthy. I can say without any iota of contradiction that the choice of Dr. Raymond Omollo was one of the most important decisions you made in your administration.
Raymond is disciplined, straightforward, humble, obedient to authority and is not given to drunkenness and other forms of indiscipline. Between Raymond and I, we will do the job you made us to do.”
President Ruto, on his part, said, “I have come here to thank you for giving me this dedicated son to help me work in the Internal Security. Raymond has the opportunity to serve the people of Kenya.
I am confident, and I have worked with you in the past, and in the last eight months, you have demonstrated that indeed you deserve the responsibilities you have today. I want to tell your people that Raymond is a professional and resolute and doing a wonderful job in the office of the President.”
Just a Reminder:
For Gachagua, Raila was emblematic of the totality of Kenya’s problems and took issue with the former President Uhuru Kenyatta for supporting and introducing the former Prime Minister to the people of Mt. Kenya.
For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau Veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua, Gachagua then took issue with Raila for asking him to allow the ongoing consultation between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza Government.
Raila, in response, stated, “If we can hold consultations, that is in order. Riggy G (referring to Gachagua’s moniker), there is no harm in people talking. Let people have talks even if you don’t want to hear my word, just listen to what I say.
We don’t want half of the loaf. What and which kind of bread? I do not want to become the Deputy President, I don’t want to be Prime Minister. I am not interested. Stop panicking. I have not spoken or even met Ruto.”
Gachagua responded, “Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected salutations and talks, but we fear you.
The reason, you came and had a handshake with our son, former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He was a good person, he loved and worked for us. But when you got into a handshake with him, he changed. We from Mt. Kenya, we fear you.
Be like your father, who helped us to fight for the land that belonged to the Mau Mau. Help us get back the land.”
Mr. Gachagua, if you truly hold Mr. Oreta’s mentorship in high esteem, then the people of Karachuonyo politely ask you to leave their son alone.
Give the young man, Dr. Omollo, space to grow. Instead of relentlessly endeavoring to crush his career and future, mentor him to be a national leader like you.
