Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has proven, time and again, that he cannot see Kenya beyond the Kikuyu community. His brand of politics is not only outdated — it is dangerous. In a country struggling to heal from historical ethnic divisions, Gachagua continues to fan tribal flames instead of offering national solutions. He speaks like a village elder guarding a family inheritance, not a leader entrusted with a multi-ethnic republic.
At a time when Kenya needs inclusive leadership to tackle a cost of living crisis, youth unemployment, and corruption, Gachagua has chosen to double down on tribalism — weaponizing Kikuyu identity as if it were a political shield and sword. His speeches are rarely about policy or economic transformation. Instead, they are filled with grievance, bitterness, and an obsession with “our people” — a phrase he has repeatedly used to draw ethnic boundaries instead of national bridges.
This is not leadership. It is primitivism.
Even after his impeachment, Gachagua continues to posture as a “Mt. Kenya kingpin” instead of reflecting on how he failed to rise above parochial interests. A true statesman would ask: How can we unite 47 counties? How do we lift all Kenyans — not just those who speak like me or come from my village?
Kenya has no future in tribal cocoons. We are a country of hustlers, tech innovators, farmers, artists, and dreamers — from Turkana to Taita. We deserve leaders who think in terms of opportunity, not ethnicity.
Gachagua had a chance to be more. He chose less. And Kenya is better off moving on from his narrow vision.
Let us retire tribal politics. Let us choose leadership that sees all Kenyans — not just a tribe.
