Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faced renewed pressure pushing him to resign from office following his remarks on the protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Gachagua has faced criticism from a section of Kenyans including leaders specifically for implicating National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji in the deadly protests.
Former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho in a statement on June 26, 2024, termed the DP’s remarks as reckless and divisive calling for his resignation.
Joho stated that it was disturbing that a leader of DP Gachagua’s stature would make such remarks at a critical time when the government needed to display unity.
“Having listened keenly to the address by the Deputy President this evening, I find it disturbing that a leader of his stature would issue such reckless statements at a time when government needs to be seen to be pulling in one direction,” said Joho.
According to the former Mombasa governor, the country is currently at a critical point following the deadly protests which requires the leadership of the country to try and restore confidence in its citizens rather than apportioning blame for failures that should be collectively owned by them.
Gachagua under pressure to Resign
On the other hand, Joho claimed that the remarks made by Gachagua were tribal which he highly criticized as unnecessary, adding that the DP should instead lead by example and resign.
“To make it worse the sentiments by Rigathi Gachagua smacks of tribal undertones and that’s the least this country needs at this time. I would therefore wish to see him lead by example by being the first to take responsibility & resign instead of asking for other peoples’ resignations,” noted Joho.
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Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi echoed Joho’s words stating that the remarks by Gachagua were uncalled for and that they signaled the DP’s pettiness.
Further, the lawyer pointed out that the sentiments by the second in command vindicated those who have been arguing that choosing Gacagua as President Willliam Ruto‘s Deputy was a bad decision.
“The vitriolic attack by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against NIS DG Noordin Haji was uncalled for, baseless and shows the smallness and pettiness of a man a heartbeat from the Presidency. Gachagua’s crudenes, rough edges and lack political skills vindicate those who all along argued that promoting the former DO 1 straight to the second highest office was a disaster waiting to happen. He is awfully unsuitable for the office he holds, and his daily utterances are a testimony to that,” noted Ahmednasir.
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Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has also thrown in his weight on the pressure on Gachagua. In a statement, the CS termed the DP as a lying and dishonorable man.
Kuria Reacts After Gachagua’s Remarks
Kuria in his statement argued that Gachagua chaired the committee that endorsed the original Finance Bill which included proposals such as VAT for milk and bread which were among the reasons that led to the nationwide protests.
“The Committee meeting that endorsed the original Finance Bill which included VAT for milk and bread was chaired by the Deputy President. What a lying, dishonorable man,” remarked CS Kuria.
DP Gachagua is under pressure after calling for the resignation of NIS Director General Noordin Haji who he blamed for the destruction and deaths witnessed during the Finance Bill 2024 protests witnessed on June 25.
The second in command in an address to the nation sympathized with President Ruto over the recent chaos, saying that Ruto was not properly informed about the views of the people and would otherwise not have pushed for the bill.
He called for the resignation of Noordin Haji while stating that the NIS was dysfunctional and did not inform Ruto on time to allow him to take action.
According to Gachagua, the intelligence service had failed in executing its duty and therefore failed the people of Kenya and embarrassed the head of state.
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