Kenya has come a long way from the dark days when politics was defined purely by tribe. Yet, in recent years, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has worked tirelessly to drag the country backward. His brand of leadership — rooted in bitterness, ethnic loyalty, and reckless talk — is not just outdated; it’s dangerous.
Gachagua’s speeches often drip with divisive rhetoric, drawing sharp lines between “his people” and the rest of Kenya. He thrives on victimhood and regional entitlement, pretending to speak for the Mt. Kenya region while sowing seeds of suspicion against other communities. This kind of politics, if left unchecked, could poison the next generation of leaders who look up to him.
His words and conduct reveal a man obsessed with tribal arithmetic rather than national unity. Instead of using his platform to champion issues that affect all Kenyans — like unemployment, poverty, and corruption — Gachagua has reduced leadership to a game of regional chest-thumping. The tragedy is that some younger politicians are beginning to mimic his tone, echoing his grievances in public rallies, and normalizing division as a political strategy.
That is where the danger lies. Gachagua’s tribal recklessness can easily become contagious — a political transfusion that infects others and spreads across counties. Once that happens, Kenya risks reversing years of peacebuilding, reconciliation, and national cohesion.
Leaders are supposed to heal, not divide; to inspire, not inflame. Gachagua has chosen the opposite path — one of arrogance, tribal supremacy, and political sabotage. Kenya cannot afford to let such behavior become the new normal.
The country must stand firm against divisive politics. Kenya’s unity is too precious to be destroyed by the reckless ambitions of one bitter man still living in the past.
