Moses Kuria Takes on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Again

Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has yet again criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a meeting in opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Siaya backyard.

Kuria on Thursday referred to Gachagua’s statement that the government was a shareholding business and those who voted for it would be first in line for appointments and development. Kuria countered that every citizen, regardless of locality or status, co-owns a stake towards the progress and advancement of their nation. His sentiments echoed Mr Odinga’s remarks who had earlier said Gachagua’s “shareholders” remarks discriminated against areas with opposition support in regards to development. Kuria blamed the country’s problems on the segregation introduced by Sessional Paper Number 10 of 1965, which focused development on areas with the most returns and marginalized underdeveloped regions.

Kuria believes that every part of Kenya contributes unique products to the country and none should be considered useless. He spoke at Got Akara in central Alego, Siaya County, where he presided over the groundbreaking of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP). During the launch event, Mr. Kuria made statements that were met with applause from the crowd. As he drove away, some youths chanted “Kikuyu Kingpin” in reference to a supposed power struggle between Mr Kuria, Mr Gachagua, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

In recent days, Mr. Kuria has fired off tweets that are perceived to be responses to Mr. Gachagua’s reprimands of him and other government officials for arrogance. However, Mr Kuria denies being engaged in any dispute with the DP. During his Siaya visit, Mr Kuria praised the opposition leader and his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

He spoke of how the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ represented him in court when he faced expulsion from the University of Nairobi, at the instruction of the first Vice President of Kenya. Mr Kuria called for a ceasefire and resolution of differences so that leaders can focus on delivering to the people.