Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrived in Meru this past weekend, and his visit quickly became a showcase of personal bitterness rather than leadership. From the outset, he attacked elected leaders, openly disparaged the sitting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and even mocked President William Ruto, signaling frustration at his diminished political relevance.
During his tour, Gachagua repeatedly emphasized past titles and influence, chest-thumping about being the “Mt. Kenya Kingpin” and revisiting stories that many in the audience have now heard more times than a favorite village joke. One moment he was recounting political battles, the next he was reminding people how he once “saved Uhuru from alcoholism,” leaving some listeners wondering whether the rally had briefly turned into a storytelling session.
Observers noted that much of the speech focused on personal grievances rather than concrete benefits for Meru residents. Instead of outlining development priorities, Gachagua leaned heavily on nostalgia and self-praise, often repeating the same lines as though the microphone might award points for volume.
His supporters moved through parts of the county chanting “RUTO ONE TERM,” hoping to stir political energy. Yet several residents quietly pointed out the obvious arithmetic: President Ruto is already serving his first term. For some in the crowd, the chant sounded less like a strategy and more like a slogan still searching for its meaning.
Even his demeanor during public engagements reflected the same tone—frequent jabs at leaders, exaggerated gestures, and dramatic pauses that seemed designed more for spectacle than substance. The result was a rally that felt loud and energetic but left many listeners asking a simple question: after all the noise, what exactly was the message?
Meru residents, known for their courtesy, listened patiently. They allowed the speeches to run their course and even applauded politely. But as one attendee joked afterward, “We came expecting politics, but we ended up attending a full afternoon of complaints.”
By the end of the visit, the dominant takeaway was clear: the tour may have been entertaining in parts, but it revealed more frustration than vision.
make it comical
