DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has come to the defence of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, warning president William Ruto’s allies against what he termed as sustained political attacks on the former Head of State.
Speaking during Sunday service at PCEA Illasit church in Kajiado south, Kajiado county, Gachagua said Uhuru should not be vilified for expressing his political views, arguing that retirement from office does not take away his constitutional freedoms.
The former Deputy President accused Kenya Kwanza leaders of disrespecting Uhuru instead of addressing what he said were the failures of the current administration.
“Uhuru still has an opinion, he still retains his constitutional rights to express his opinion, to have a political choice, to have freedom of expression, to have freedom of assembly, so please, leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone,” Gachagua said.
He added that Uhuru remained a senior national leader whose voice should not be silenced merely because he had left office.
Gachagua further urged the retired president not to be intimidated by threats from government leaders, including suggestions that his retirement benefits could be withdrawn if he remains politically active.
“I want to ask my elder brother, Uhuru Kenyatta, not to be intimidated. You are a Kenyan, a senior citizen, and you have a constitutional right to express yourself,” he said.
He added: “Uhuru Kenyatta, I want to urge you, please, don’t chicken out. History will judge you very harshly if you get intimidated and shy away from assisting this country to get good governance.”
The remarks come amid renewed criticism of Uhuru by Kenya Kwanza leaders, who have accused him of engaging in partisan politics instead of maintaining a statesmanlike posture after leaving office. National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula, while saying he respected Uhuru, urged him to focus on unity, peace and national healing.
But Gachagua dismissed the criticism, arguing that former presidents across the world continue to participate in national debates and offer political counsel.
“To the leaders of Kenya Kwanza, leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone. Uhuru Kenyatta is our leader. He has retired from office, but that does not mean his mind has retired,” Gachagua said.
He also praised Uhuru’s tenure, claiming several public programmes were functioning better under the previous administration.
“When Uhuru Kenyatta left, the country was up and running. Linda Mama was working, students were learning and we didn’t have goons. Within four years, Ruto has destroyed everything. They are now abusing Uhuru instead of telling Kenyans how they’ll fix the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen has added his voice to the debate, asking the former president to keep off politics and step up as a statesman offering advice and guidance to the leadership of the day.
The CS was speaking in Mathira, Nyeri county, during Sunday service at PCEA Ngaini church.
Gachagua also used the Kajiado platform to affirm that he remains a presidential candidate under the United Alternative Government, but insisted that his bid should not be interpreted as a threat to opposition unity.
He said opposition leaders were currently building their individual credibility and popularity ahead of the 2027 contest, but would eventually agree on one candidate to face President Ruto.
Speaking at the same church service, Gachagua said he would support whoever emerges as the opposition’s flagbearer, insisting that he would not be a dividing factor in the anti-Ruto alliance.
The former Deputy President also turned his guns on the inclusion of ODM-linked Cabinet Secretaries in partisan political structures, accusing president Ruto of blurring the line between public service and party politics.
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