The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, has strongly rebuked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of promoting tribal politics during his recent tour of the United States.
Speaking on Friday at Busende Primary School during a women's empowerment programme, Wetang’ula criticised Gachagua for meeting only members of his ethnic community abroad.
According to Wetang'ula, Gachagua was exporting tribalism and risks dividing Kenyans abroad.
“I faulted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for exporting tribal politics by addressing only members of his ethnic community while on tour in the US,'' Wetang'ula said.
“I reminded him that such actions risk dividing Kenyans in the diaspora, and leaders must engage all communities during such a visit, not just their own,” he continued.
The former Deputy President is currently in the US, where he has been holding meetings with Kenyan communities in several states. His tour has so far elicited criticism from leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza.
Gachagua left Kenya for the US on July 9, his first trip abroad since his removal from office in October 2024.
In his meetings, Gachagua has continued to decampaign the Ruto government while championing the 'wantam' agenda. Wetang’ula emphasised that the diaspora is diverse and should be treated as such.
“At a time when President Ruto and Raila Odinga are working to unify the nation, this kind of ethnic rhetoric undermines national cohesion, yet the diaspora is diverse and must be treated as such,” the Speaker added.
Additionally, Wetang’ula called on security agencies to pursue leaders who sponsored the recent Saba Saba protests.
While many protesters were arrested, Wetang’ula challenged security agencies to go further and apprehend the leaders who allegedly incited the unrest.
His sentiments come amid the heightened tensions after the recent Saba Saba protests that saw thousands of youths taking to the streets demanding economic reforms.
