Tension and shock gripped the set of Inooro TV’s Kiririmbi show on Sunday after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reportedly slapped one of his own workers during preparations for a bonfire segment.
The incident occurred around 5:30 pm, hours before the show was scheduled to start at 7:30 pm, at Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence. According to crew members, while lighting a bonfire for the segment, part of the grass caught fire unintentionally. Gachagua allegedly reacted aggressively, striking a worker in front of colleagues.
“We were all in disbelief. It was supposed to be a routine setup, but the way he reacted shocked everyone,” said one Kiririmbi crew member who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.
Another staffer working for Gachagua added:
“It was a small accident, yet he slapped the worker hard. People were scared to intervene. It felt like we were back in school under a strict headmaster.”
Several Inooro TV personnel described the incident as unnecessary and authoritarian.
“We have worked on many live and outdoor segments, and accidents happen. What shocked us was the public humiliation of the staff in front of others,” said an Inooro TV producer.
The worker, whose identity has been withheld, was reportedly shaken but not seriously injured. Sources close to the incident say some of Gachagua’s aides attempted to calm him down, but the former deputy president allegedly continued to display temper issues during the afternoon preparations.
Critics argue that this behavior highlights a worrying pattern of authoritarian tendencies, raising concerns about how leaders treat their staff and manage public appearances.
“Leadership is about guidance, not fear. This was dictatorial behavior, plain and simple,” said a political observer familiar with the Mt Kenya political scene.
The incident has left both the Kiririmbi crew and Gachagua’s aides unsettled, casting a shadow over the evening’s live broadcast.
