Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has criticised the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over controversial remarks he made while on a visit to the United States.
Gachagua, during his US tour, urged Kenyans from the Mt Kenya region not to send foreign remittances back to Kenya until a new government takes over in Kenya. The statement has sparked backlash, with Sudi terming the directive reckless and dangerous.
Sudi accused Gachagua of sowing division and undermining national unity at a time when the country is already grappling with political tensions.
“You want to tell people from the mountain to keep their money in their pockets and wait for you until 2027? I think you have a mental issue. How do you even say something like that?” Sudi posed.
The MP further warned that such utterances could harm the country’s economy and derail the progress made in mobilising diaspora investments.
Meanwhile, Gachagua claimed that the rift between President William Ruto and the Mt Kenya region had played a major role in destabilising the country’s economy. He argued that the Kenya Kwanza could not effectively function if citizens from the Mt Kenya diaspora continued to withhold their remittances.
According to the former Deputy President, the move to withhold remittances was a form of economic resistance, insisting that Mt Kenya’s contribution to the economy had been undervalued. He maintained that the region had the power to influence national stability through its financial muscle abroad.
Gachagua, who was impeached as deputy president in October, further maintained that efforts by the Kenya Kwanza leadership to politically edge him out had failed, accusing them of trying to divide the mountain region through strategic appointments and targeted smear campaigns.
“They tried to dismantle my support base, but the mountain has stood firm,” he said. “I want to tell you the government has failed economically. We have withheld our money back at home, and I urge you to do the same that you are doing here,” he added, punctuating his address with controversial remarks.
However, the former Mathira MP's remarks have triggered sharp political backlash back home, with critics accusing him of exploiting the Mt Kenya region to push his personal political agenda.
Despite the mounting criticism, Gachagua has remained defiant, appearing to use every politically viable avenue to rally support from his community, both locally and in the diaspora.
The former Deputy President is currently on a two-month tour of the US, where he has been engaging Kenyans living abroad as the race toward the 2027 General Election intensifies.
