Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua's efforts to raise funds from Kenyans in the United States have suffered a setback after one of his fiercest critics publicly urged supporters abroad to reject his plea.
Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, a close ally of President William Ruto, appealed to Kenyans living in the US not to contribute any money to the former Deputy President, accusing him of being unpatriotic and engaging in empty rhetoric.
In a self-recorded video, Sudi dismissed Gachagua’s recent remarks that President Ruto’s administration was relying on “school dropouts” as advisers. Sudi argued that Gachagua ignored sound advice during his time in office, leading to his political downfall.
“Kenyans in the US are hard-working. This person (Gachagua) has been complaining about fake advisers, yet he refused to listen to genuine advice that could have saved him from impeachment. I ask you not to donate any money or gifts to him,” Sudi said.
The MP further accused Gachagua of advancing the politics of bitterness while offering no meaningful alternative to solve the country’s challenges.
Sudi revealed that despite the former DP constantly slamming him over his education status, Gachagua constantly relied on his advisory opinions while serving as the second in command.
As such, the lawmaker accused Gachagua of dishonesty in urging Kenyans abroad not to remit money home while portraying the government as one advised by 'dropouts.'
He further revealed that while serving as Deputy President, Gachagua once reached out to him for advice when he was facing possible impeachment. Sudi claimed that although he offered guidance on how to avert the situation, Gachagua ignored the advice and was ultimately impeached.
Sudi has clashed with Gachagua repeatedly in recent weeks, particularly over claims that Gachagua has been urging Kenyans in the diaspora not to send money back home in protest against the current administration.
He termed Gachagua’s actions as sabotage and a betrayal of Kenyans who depend on diaspora remittances to support livelihoods and grow the economy.
While on the diaspora tour, Gachagua had claimed that the rift between President 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 him, 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.
