There’s no politician in recent memory who exploited tribal politics more blatantly than Rigathi Gachagua. When he had power, he used it not to unite, but to divide.
He was the loudest voice pushing the idea of government “shareholding,” where only those who voted for the current regime deserved development. He dismissed entire communities like the Kambas, telling them they had no right to government services unless they joined the ruling party.
Gachagua didn’t hide his bias—he wore it like a badge of honour. He constantly waved the Kikuyu voting numbers like a club, forcing his way through government and public discourse. Anyone who disagreed with him was quickly labelled an outsider. His brand of leadership was loud, exclusionary, and tribal.
Now that he’s out of favour, he suddenly wants to talk about unity. Now, every community is his ‘cousin.’ The same people he once ridiculed are now his brothers and sisters. That’s not leadership—that’s survival politics. The truth is, Rigathi has no moral ground to preach unity. His words and actions when he had power show exactly who he is.
But we won’t argue with those who choose to believe him—for now. In politics, time reveals everything. Once they get a taste of Gachagua’s divisive ways, they’ll abandon him just as fast as he turns on those who no longer serve his interest.
Kenyans deserve leaders who believe in unity, not just when it’s convenient, but always. Not leaders who treat national leadership like a tribal inheritance.
