Rigathi Gachagua’s latest outburst in Murang’a, where he mocked Mt. Kenya leaders by saying Raila Odinga had brilliant lawyers like Orengo, Sifuna, and Babu Owino while he was left with “Kawanjiku, Wamatinga, and Wamakeki,” has exposed the contradictions in his own politics. The truth is simple — Gachagua is now a victim of the very system he built.
During the 2022 elections, he personally toured the region intimidating aspirants, branding those running under Jubilee as wasaliti, tukunias, and ngatis. He forced loyalty to UDA and handpicked candidates not for their brains or integrity, but for how easily they could be controlled. Now that these “Tugege” leaders are showing their true colors, Gachagua wants to shift blame and paint himself as the victim.
It doesn’t work that way. You cannot plant maize and complain when it grows into maize. Gachagua created a culture of fear and political worship. He rewarded obedience and punished independence. Today, he cries about weak leadership in Mt. Kenya — yet he personally ensured that brilliant, independent-minded leaders were locked out.
And now, as he pushes his new “Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP),” he risks repeating the same mistake. If Mt. Kenya is not careful, it will end up with an even worse crop of leaders — louder, weaker, and more loyal to one man than to the people.
The mountain must learn. We don’t need more puppets; we need thinkers, builders, and reformers. Gachagua should take responsibility for his past choices instead of insulting leaders he personally created. The region deserves better — and that starts by rejecting politics built on control, fear, and blame.
