Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has called on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to exercise restraint and show respect when addressing fellow leaders and women from the Mt Kenya region.
In a statement responding to remarks Gachagua made during a rally in Embu on Saturday, Kuria praised Gachagua’s growing influence but urged him to uphold dignity in his public conduct.
“To my brother Rigathi Gachagua, I am an honest man. By now you know that. It is an undeniable fact that the majority of our Mt Kenya people listen to you,” said Kuria. “You are ahead of the rest of us. You are edging closer to being our undisputed Kingpin in the Mountain.”
Kuria suggested he might consider working with Gachagua in future, saying, “In fact, just like Gideon Moi and William Ruto are working together, I might consider working with you very soon.” However, he made what he termed as “one humble request.”
“Kindly refrain from insulting our leaders in general, our women leaders in particular and all Mt Kenya women by extension,” he said. “Doesn't really sound commensurate with your undisputed kingpin status. Kindly sir. With profound respect!”
Gachagua had earlier claimed that some leaders were being bought to secure their loyalty and went on to make remarks deemed offensive.
In August, Kuria, then serving as a senior Economic Adviser to the President, had expressed a similar view on Citizen TV, saying he would “defend the political rights of Rigathi Gachagua despite their past differences.” He, however, disagreed with Gachagua’s style of politics, warning that “politics that revolves around tribe has no space in this country.”
Kuria emphasised that every leader must be allowed to practice politics within the confines of the law.
“I believe that Rigathi Gachagua has every right to practice his politics in the best way he knows how, as long as he is not contravening the law," Kuria said.
Kuria noted that he has long disagreed with Gachagua on several issues, particularly his style of politics.
"I don’t have a problem with Rigathi Gachagua; I just have three major points of departure with him. One of them is that at this age and time, we cannot conduct politics as we did in the 90s. Everything is finite, including tribalism,” he said.
"For me, politics that revolves around tribe has no space in this country."
He added that the country’s future cannot be shaped by tribal-based politics.
“There comes a time when politics that revolves around tribe has no space in this country. Even me, maybe there was a time I could have been accused of tribalism. Granted. But every angel has a past and every sinner has a future,” Kuria said.
