• "Hii serikali ni kampuni na ni ya shares. Kuna wenye kampuni, wale wako na shares mingi wale wako na chache na wale hawana," Gachagua said.
• The DP told the farmers they were getting the fertiliser because they invested in the 'company' by way of voting for him and President William Ruto.
Image: FILE
Remarks by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government is like a company where only stakeholders benefit have continued to elicit reactions from the political elite.
The DP who's known for headline-grabbing statements stated over the weekend that not all Kenyans are bound to benefit from the Kenya Kwanza regime since not all voted for its leaders.
"Hii serikali ni kampuni na ni ya shares. Kuna wenye kampuni, wale wako na shares mingi wale wako na chache na wale hawana," Gachagua said.
(This government is a company. There are those who own it, those with many shares, those with fewer shares and those without).
The DP was speaking in Kericho county on Saturday where he helped distribute subsidised fertiliser to farmers.
The DP told the farmers they were getting the fertiliser because they invested in the 'company' by way of voting for him and President William Ruto.
"Sasa lazima mvune ( so you must reap)," he said.
But in response, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed wondered how the rationale will work when it comes to tax collection.
All Kenyans are by law supposed to pay taxes, regardless of their political affiliation.
"If the Government of the Republic of Kenya has become a company with shareholders then how will all Kenyans pay taxes to a company belonging to two individuals?" the MP posed.
Gachagua pointed out that there was nothing wrong with those who 'invested' first to benefit first from the government,
"Najua wengine wanankashifu ati mimi nasema ati wale walipanda wavune kwanza, iko makosa? he asked.
(There are those criticising me for saying those who planted should reap first, where is the problem?)
"Hata hao watavuna lakini wangoje. Wale walipande wavune kwanza, wakishavuna ile itabaki kidogo wale hawakupanda waingie watafute huko ile itapatikana wachukue," the DP said.
(Even those who didn't plant will reap after those who planted first have done so. Whatever little they get will be theirs)
Gachagua said that's how the national cake will be shared so that when people go to the polls again, they will have known the value of their vote.
"Nyinyi hamuwezi kupiga kelele kule, mnaita William Ruto majina ati hawezi, ni bure, halafu akipata, akigawa, mnapiga laini ati mko hapo mbele."
(You can't go around making noise calling William Ruto names saying he's incapable but when he gets and starts sharing, you are first on the queue)