Kenyans on social media expressed mixed reactions after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua shared a story of a village friend he met back in the early 2000’s.
In a statement on Sunday, September 24, the DP shared his photo with a man named Maina Muchangi.
The two, according to Gachagua, have been friends for 18 years and had breakfast on Sunday morning in his Mathira home, Nyeri County.
According to the statement, Gachagua made a promise to always give his friend “something” in every meeting.
“We met 18 years ago; we agreed that whenever we meet, I must take care of him-by giving him something. And since then, I have kept my promise,” the DP noted.
“This morning was one of those moments-a promise kept, and a happy Maina,” he added.
Kenyans React to Gachagua’s Friendship
However, the DP’s post triggered reactions from Kenyans online, with a section questioning his failure to permanently uplift the man’s life from poverty.
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“Dress Muchangi, give him a job and always monitor him,” a user under the username ArapTilingi noted.
“Now get him a small shop to keep him busy,” Bcherich reacted.
Another said, “You didn’t have to take a picture of him and share it as some form of trophy. When your “friend” of 18 years looks like this. “Take care of your friends and don’t broadcast it on social media!”
Nonetheless, a section of Kenyans online defended the DP citing cases from their own experiences where village friends fail to utilize help to change their lives.
“All of us have such characters in the village. You buy them clothes or any item, they’ll exchange with illicit brew the following day,” a user commented.
A People’s DP
The Sunday meeting was not the first time Gachagua introduced his long-time friend.
In May 2022, while addressing a burial in Nyeri, Muchagi approached Gachagua as the then MP and demanded a handout.
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Amid laughter from the mourners, Gachagua explained that Muchangi expressed himself noting that he was in a hurry to attend to other business and as such wanted to have his part of the bargain.
Sunday marked DP Gachagua’s third day in his rural home. Besides meeting his friend on Sunday, Gachagua shared photos capturing moments with residents in his neighborhood during his early morning interactions.
In addition, the DP took some time to inspect his farm comprising dairy cattle and poultry in what is becoming a regular sight now since his ascension to the position.