Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pushed back against accusations that he is a tribal leader, insisting that he is a nationalist committed to Kenya’s unity.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday night, Gachagua dismissed claims that he promotes ethnic divisions, saying his love for his community has been misinterpreted.
“The man before you is a great nationalist. I have never uttered anything against other communities. Loving my community does not mean I hate others. I challenge anyone to bring a single utterance where I have spoken against other Kenyans,” he said.
Gachagua pointed to his support for President William Ruto in the 2022 general elections as evidence that he does not engage in tribal politics.
He argued that the accusations are being driven by political rivals seeking to damage his reputation following his fallout with the President.
“Some of the leaders who embraced me when I was in government are now pushing the tribal narrative against me because of politics,” he said.
The former DP also highlighted his recent trip to the United States, where he addressed Kenyans from different communities, stressing that he spoke to groups based on invitations he received.
“Let nobody feel embarrassed about speaking their languages. Even the constitution acknowledges Kenya’s ethnic diversity and why we must be proud of it,” he said.
However, Gachagua’s remarks during the US visit sparked criticism from young Kenyans abroad, particularly Gen Zs , who accused him of failing to rise above ethnic politics.
During a town hall in Baltimore, Valentine Wanjiru Githae of the youth-led 625 Movement confronted him directly, warning that divisive rhetoric risked undermining national unity.
“We are Gen Zs, and we are here to tell you the truth. If we don’t, we are doomed to fail,” she said, urging Gachagua to embrace a broader national identity if he intends to mount a credible challenge to President Ruto in 2027.
Wanjiru, who is from Gachagua’s Mathira constituency, also criticised his decision to open the meeting in Kikuyu, saying it sent the wrong signal.
“If we position ourselves as Kikuyu, another tribe will do the same. Before we know it, we’re back to the same problem,” she cautioned.
She further challenged Gachagua over his remarks at a Boston rally where he described the Kikuyu as “drivers of the Kenyan economy” because of their hard work, saying the statement downplayed contributions by other communities.
“We cannot say that the tribes are not hardworking. This sense of entitlement has to stop. If I don’t tell you this truth, Mheshimiwa, then I’m failing you,” she said.
In response, Gachagua maintained that he is not tribal, calling the accusations a political narrative created by government allies who, in his words, “have nothing else against me."
