Home KENYA NEWS Deputy President Gachagua Responds to Ichung’wah’s Village Comments

Deputy President Gachagua Responds to Ichung’wah’s Village Comments

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Deputy President Gachagua Responds to Ichung'wah's Village Comments
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

The dispute between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and National arose when Ichung’wah postulated that effective leadership transcends mere village affiliations.

Addressing the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya International Scientific Conference in Mombasa today, Gachagua resolutely embraced his rural origins, expressing bewilderment at the criticism against him for being branded a “villager.” He asserted that every individual has a place they call home, and it is imperative to honour that heritage. Furthermore, Gachagua defends his staunch adherence to using vernacular when visiting his village in Nyeri County. He refuses to be coerced into speaking Swahili or English, asserting that using the local language is a sign of profound respect for his origins.

The controversy deepened when Ichung’wah insinuated that Gachagua’s loyalty to the Mt Kenya region was a ploy to manipulate President William Ruto. The Majority Leader accused Gachagua of attempting to blackmail Ruto. However, Gachagua maintains that neither Ruto nor the Kenyan government would yield to such tactics, dismissing sympathy-seeking photos, vernacular campaigns, and social media posts as ineffective tools for financial gain. Adding fuel to the fire, a photograph of Deputy President Gachagua flying to Mombasa using the national carrier circulated online, intensifying the debate.

“I am talking in English because some of you may not understand my language. I will talk Kiswahili when I go where people cannot understand. But if I go to the village what business do I have talking to people in English and I am not a white person. Won’t that be arrogance and pride?” poses Gachagua.

While some interpreted it as a deliberate political move, Gachagua remains firm, emphasizing that his actions are rooted in authenticity and respect for his heritage. Prominent political figures from Murang’a have voiced their support for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s efforts to bring unity to the Mount Kenya region. Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Waithera and five influential local county representatives are at the forefront of this endorsement.

In an address to her constituents on Saturday, Waithera shed light on the underlying motives behind the negative perceptions surrounding Gachagua’s endeavours. She asserted that these critiques stem from those who oppose the unification of the Mount Kenya community. The lawmaker emphasized the importance of grassroots politics, which serves as the bedrock upon which political aspirations are built.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Those who brand others”…
    Those who brand others” Villagers” ,
    come from a village either in Kenya or in their country of origin.
    English is to a “White” man as African languages are to Africans.
    ” Westman’s influence on educational thought was considerable…..
    By taking away a people’s language we cripple or destroy its soul and kill its mental individuality”
    It’s no wonder after all these years we are still ” a stammering nation”.
    To be creative and avoid being copycats, we must go back to our languages.
    Our unity is in our tongue, both for Kenya and for Africa as a whole.
    We must start directing the language policy in our village, then community and in our nation.
    ” A nation without a language is half a nation”.
    Speaking in our mother tongue is a sense of pride in one self.
    ” To speak is to live for another”

  2. Riggy G is dong the right…
    Riggy G is dong the right thing speaking to keep his tribe together. Ruto’s intentions with Kikuyus is not good.He has always wanted to destroy the kikuyu community because they are richer than him.

  3. Is anyone surprised of the…
    Is anyone surprised of the battles this villager is encountering now.He campaigned for Zakayo,now accept the consequences..

  4. These morons don’t have much…
    These morons don’t have much work to do, they should do the people a favor and resign!!!!

  5. In our 2010 constitution,…
    In our 2010 constitution, one of the basic human rights is a right to use and develop one’s language. That means one has a right to speak, write and promote his language without being branded a ” villager”
    Mr Ichungwa needs to read that section of the constitution, before making a ” village” comment.
    If Mr. Gachagua is branded a “villager” for speaking in his mother tongue, we must brand or those speaking in their mother tongues “Villagers”
    Mr. Ichung’wa:
    Germans speak the German language which is a language from their village in Germany.
    English men speak English which is a language from their village in Europe
    Japan speak Japanese which is a language from a village in Japan
    Koreans speak Korea which a language from a village in Korea
    China speaks Chinese which is a language from a village in China
    What is wrong with a Mugikuyu speaking Gikuyu which is a language in a village in Kenya
    Mr. Ichung’wa, we need to revisit the language policy in Kenya and the constitution.
    Our language policy will begin with every Gikuyu with his or her tongue, we will move it to our families, to our villages and we will all become Villagers in a nation.
    Mr. Ichung’wa charity begins at home.

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