Farouk hits out at Gachagua over ‘cousins’ remark

President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, and some MPs allied to the government have come out guns blazing at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his recent remarks during the Ukambani region tour.

Gachagua, during his tour of the Ukambani region, referred to Kamba people as cousins to the Mt Kenya residents, saying the union is more of a family matter.

"Sisi ni macousin. Ukweli ama uongo? Hi cousins! Hi cousins! Hi cousins! Cousins wapendane wasipendane? Cousins watafute serikali pamoja wasitafute?" Gachagua said.

But in a rejoinder to the remarks, Farouk told off the former DP, urging Kenyans to disregard him.

“He has now started calling other communities cousins. Gachagua is someone who should not be paid attention to. And we are asking the churches not to give room to such people who were removed from office for not helping President Ruto while in office,” he said.

Farouk was speaking at the RCEA Korosiot Church in the Turbo area, where he was with Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe and his Taita Taveta counterpart John Bwire.

He said using the cousin term to woo other communities was akin to taking the country down a tribal path, saying it risked dividing Kenyans.

He said leadership is about nationalism and not selfishness or personal interests.

“If he could not work with his boss, President Ruto, is he qualified to be a leader at any level?” Farouk said.

He asked Kenyans and the church to be vigilant in ensuring that the unity of the nation is protected for its prosperity.

According to Farouk, Kenya belongs to everyone, and there is a need to safeguard the interests of every community as opposed to a few.

“We want even the people of Western Kenya to lead next time because the presidency is not a preserve of certain communities,” said Farouk.

He said the Kalenjin community supported former President Uhuru Kenyatta without conditions and abuses, further challenging current leaders to give Ruto equal treatment.

Farouk also defended government projects, saying SHA is now working as President Ruto had pledged to ensure Kenyans have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

The government, he said, has also succeeded in stabilising the food situation through the supply of subsidised fertiliser.

“We will only ask the government to ensure it buys maize from farmers at good prices so that they continue to produce more,” said Farouk.

Farouk urged Kenyans to ensure they benefit from the rural electrification programmes being implemented in all areas of the country.

Mugabe, on his part, asked leaders and Kenyans to stay united and shun politics of division.

Mugabe and Bwire praised Ruto’s economic reforms, which they said had helped to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.

“Now Kenyans are enjoying cheaper food because of subsidised fertiliser, and we are also enjoying good health through SHA,” said Mugabe.

Bwire said it was the same Gachagua who told Kenyans that the government was for shareholders.

“We, the people of Taita Taveta, are not cousins to Gachagua in any way. We know we are all related as brothers and sisters as Kenyans,” said Bwire.