Rigathi Gachagua has taken political hypocrisy and cowardice to disgusting new depths.
On Monday, the impeached former Deputy President arrived at Milimani High Court in a carefully choreographed show of family unity.
Flanked by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, and their two sons — all dressed in sharp suits — Gachagua formally dropped his bid for reinstatement and instead demanded a massive payout from Kenyan taxpayers.
His lawyers are pushing for over Sh80 million in special damages, plus full salary, benefits, pension, gratuity and other perks for the remaining term up to 2027 — a claim that could easily balloon into hundreds of millions, if not more, of public money that should otherwise fund schools, hospitals and essential services.
This is the same Rigathi Gachagua who, only days earlier, arrogantly gave his “blessings” to Gen Z protests over rising fuel prices. He urged young Kenyans onto the streets, positioned himself as their defender, and openly called for mass action against the government.
Yet when Tuesday’s heavily promoted “Total Tuesday” shutdown finally came, the protests collapsed in embarrassment. Only a handful of people turned up. Kenyans, wisely, chose to protect their families and continue hustling rather than risk their lives for Gachagua’s personal vendetta. He quickly washed his hands of the flop, claiming the demos “were not ours.”
The double standard is repulsive.
When millions — or potentially billions — of taxpayers’ money are on the line for his personal compensation, Gachagua proudly puts his own wife and sons on the frontline, safe in a courtroom with lawyers and cameras.
But when it is time for dangerous street protests that could end in bloodshed, tear gas and bullets, he expects other people’s children to take the risks, suffer the consequences, and die for his political resurrection.
Next time Gachagua blesses any maandamano, let him have the courage to declare that his wife and sons will lead from the very front line — facing the same danger he so casually demands of ordinary Kenyan families.
Kenyans have seen through the cheap theatre. They will not sacrifice their sons and daughters to revive the career of a bitter, disgraced politician who shields his own family from every cost while pushing others into the fire.
This is not leadership. This is cowardly, self-serving opportunism at its most contemptible.
The mask is gone. The con has been exposed.
