By Anderson Ojwang
The impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is yet to walk back the political path which alienated him from the government and the public.
The abrasive and negative politics of shareholding in President William Ruto’s government not only culminated in his impeachment but also alienated him from the opposition regions.
From the shareholding guillotine, Gachagua could be fattening himself for another slaughter at the altar of the politics of “my cousins.”
In his new brand of politics of cousins, Gachagua intends to unite the Bantu-speaking communities against other dialects.
For Gachagua, the politics of cousins brings together the Bantu dialect speakers who share a common heritage with the Mt Kenya community against the others.
The tormentor
Gachagua, while in power, tormented the opposition and openly advocated for politics of shares.
He criticised any attempts to unite the government with the opposition, and when the country had the opportunity to try him, they nailed him on the cross.
For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua three years ago, Gachagua took issue with the late Raila Odinga for asking him to allow ongoing consultations between Azimio and President William Ruto.
Raila then said: “If we can hold consultations, that is in order. Riggy, 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.”
But the dismissive Gachagua said: “Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected talks, but we fear you. The reason is that 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 fear you.”
The shareholding and demos
Gachagua, then an ardent defender of President Ruto, took every minute to humiliate and deride opposition leaders and regions that never supported them.
For the three years in office, Gachagua tormented and humiliated those who criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration and was opposed to any form of demonstration in the country.
“This region, nobody will be allowed to come and destroy property. We from Mt Kenya have never known the stupidity of killing people and destroying properties. It has never happened in this region. The people of Mt Kenya are progressive, businesspersons, and farmers; they do not know about wealth destruction but wealth creation and protection. Let me say now, let’s see how it will unfold. No responsible government will allow such hooliganism witnessed in Nairobi. You said demonstrations are your right. Is destruction of properties a right? What right are you fighting for?”
Current situation
Currently, Mt Kenya has witnessed massive demonstrations, destruction of properties, and loss of lives in protests in the recent past.
While other regions have remained calm, the restive Mt Kenya has been boiling and exploding.
Cousins
Gachagua’s brand of politics of cousins could easily be translated to a recreation of the GEMA bloc with a sole aim of winning the presidency.
“And the journey of cousins, the family of people who are like-minded, who were born together, who have the same tradition – the time for the cousins to come together is now. Let me ask again, should the cousins not vote together and form the government together? When life becomes very unbearable, you go back to the family. You look for your family members and you sit down and discuss a way out,” he said.
Gachagua, in his various speeches in regions perceived to share similar heritage, said: “I have been sent by the people of Mt Kenya to come and look for our cousins. Cousins, are you there?”
The justification
“I want to tell you, I heard some people complaining that I am forming a political alliance with Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka. Why do you want to get involved in family affairs? If someone has spoken to his cousin, is there any problem? You can also speak to your cousin,” he said.
Warning
“You, William Ruto, keep off family matters. Don’t get into our family affairs. Let me ask, should cousins stay together or not? Should the cousins walk together or not?”
Pitfalls
President Ruto has criticised Gachagua for dividing the country on tribal lines and now on ethnicity.
“It is my responsibility to unite all Kenyans, including brothers and cousins and even enemies, to make one united nation, Kenya. I have been given the opportunity to lead the nation, and God has brought us together. I want us to agree: we must unite the nation and serve all equally,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale, when he recently spoke in Thika, appealed to Kenyans not to be swayed by the politics of cousins, terming it as divisive.
“We want someone who unites Kenyans regardless of their tribe, race, and religion. Ruto’s only problem is to unite Kenyans. You have a right to live anywhere in the country. I have so many friends in Mt Kenya. I protected Uhuru Kenyatta’s government. When I was protecting Uhuru’s government, was I a Kikuyu? We must bring to a stop the politics of cousins. All Kenyans are cousins and aunties. We are brothers. Tribal politics has destroyed several of our neighbouring countries, and we must not allow this to befall Kenya. We must not allow forces of evil that preach tribalism and divisive politics to destroy the country,” he said.
Reactions
The recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Thika, in the heart of Mt Kenya, was a wake-up call to Gachagua over the politics of cousins.
The decision by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kangata to attend the rally and declare that the movement unites the country was a powerful statement and precedent-setting.
In a recent speech, Kiambu MP Anne Wamuratha, drawing inspiration from the national anthem, dismissed the politics of cousins, saying Kenya is one united family and termed the talks as reckless.
“We are brothers and not cousins. We are from the same mother and father called Kenya. We are a united nation,” she said.
Betrayer or opportunist
Gachagua turns out as a man who can easily renege on his word with prevailing circumstances and ride on any emerging opportunity for his own political goal and interest.
Three years ago, Gachagua hailed President Ruto for keeping his side of the bargain after the election and appointing Mt Kenya to various positions.
“I want to thank President William Ruto because he is a gentleman. Ruto and I did not sign any memorandum of understanding. I trusted him, and he trusted us. I told him we will not have any MOU with you; you are a good person and a Christian. We will give you all the votes from Mt Kenya,” he said.
Betrayal in the city
During the burial of his elder brother three years ago, Gachagua took an oath never to betray Ruto.
“On behalf of my family, let me thank you with Mama Rachel. I really want to thank you. You have been there for us. Anytime we have been in tears in this family, you always turn up with a handkerchief to wipe our tears. We have no words to say thank you, and the truth be said, from our relationship, you have become one of our family. We celebrate and cherish you. We don’t take that relationship for granted. Last time you came for my mother’s burial, I told you: this family of Gachagua, we are honest and people of integrity, and we value friendship.”
Opportunist?
“I told you if other Kenyans will betray you, that betrayal will not come from this family. We don’t know betrayal. We are people who are true to friends, and that is why with my family, we made a conscious decision to stand with you in very difficult circumstances. I gave very clear instructions to my family that I must serve you with loyalty and dedication. I was told by my family to give back to your support for this family and for your friendship. I will do whatever you tell me to do. The people of the country have high hopes in your leadership. I want to confirm before my family that I will not let you down, and I will do whatever it takes, and I will be there for you to give you the necessary support. The people of Mt Kenya, let me thank you; you have given our community respect in Kenya’s political landscape. The people of the mountain are honest people and have integrity and appreciate good deeds,” he said.
Current situation
Gachagua has been apologising to the public for misleading them to vote for President Ruto.
Will Gachagua ever learn?
