- Gachagua on Monday apologised to former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta and expressed remorse over what he said was disrespectful behaviour towards her.
- Kuria on Tuesday said the DP had set a precedent by initiating reconciliation which he said was the only path towards uniting the country.
Image: MOSES KURIA/X
Public Service and Delivery Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has followed in the footsteps of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and apologised to Azimio leader Raila Odinga for unsavoury remarks he made against him during the electioneering period.
Gahcagua on Monday apologised to former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta and expressed remorse over what he said was disrespectful behaviour towards her during the heightened political period ahead of the 2022 general election.
Kuria on Tuesday said the DP had set a precedent by initiating reconciliation which he said was the only path towards uniting the country.
“I want to thank and laud Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for leading in the rallying call on forgiveness. To those I have aggrieved in the past, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who I called on the same, I offer my unreserved due apologies. Let us focus our energies on nation-building," Kuria said.
Kuria made the remarks at Kaibaga in Nyandarua County during the burial ceremony of Mama Dorcas Muhihu, mother to Bishop JJ Gitahi.
The Deputy President was in attendance.
The CS and Raila have had what could best be described as a bitter-sweet relationship with Kuria at one time saying anyone thinking they are enemies would be a fool.
While speaking on Citizen TV's JK Live on October 8, 2023, Kuria who was then the Trade CS said he has a good relationship with Raila outside politics but the only point of diversion was on the mass protests called by the Azimio boss then.
“I do not know how on earth someone could come between me and Raila Odinga. If you try to come between me and Raila Odinga, you will be a fool, because he is my friend,” Kuria said.
“I only said what I said about those people who were demonstrating,” Kuria explained when questioned on his vile remarks against Raila.
In his apology to Mama Ngina on Monday, Gachagua asked the former first lady to forgive those who demeaned her during the heightened political period.
The DP spoke during an interview with Kameme FM at his Karen home.
Early last year, Mama Ngina came to the defence of her family following claims that the former first family dodged paying taxes during her son Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency.
She denied the allegations and on February 5, 2023, dared the government to pursue the court route saying she had nothing to hide as far as meeting her tax obligations was concerned.
"Hakuna haja ya kuharibia wengine majina na mimi ndio watu wasikike wanafanya kazi. Hapana, mtu ashtakiwe, alipe kile anatakiwa kulipa," Mama Ngina said during a church function in Lamu.
(There is no need of tainting my name and other people’s names to be seen to be working. Let those accused be taken to court and pay what they owe)
"Mambo ya kodi ni lazima. Mkubwa ama mdogo lazima alipe kodi kulingana na uwezo wake na mapato yake. Hiyo sio kazi ya kuzungumza kwa magazeti na kwa mikutano na kwa tv," she added.
(Paying taxes is a must regardless of one’s status; everyone has to pay tax according to their income. That is not something you put in newspapers and discuss at events and on TV)
While speaking at Kaibaga, Gachagua reaffirmed the importance of forgiveness and asked Kenyans to resolve their political differences peacefully.
He regretted last weekend’s incident where supporters of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya clashed with those of Ford Kenya leader and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula during a burial ceremony.
Gachagua described the incident as retrogressive.