Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has apologised to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta over the fallout in 2022.
Speaking in a roundtable interview with journalists from the Mt Kenya region on Monday morning, the DP explained that the politicians were carried away by the political activities that swept the entire country at the time.
He further noted that the political climate had led some of the politicians to lose respect for the former First Lady.
"2022 politics had become so dirty. It had reached a point, where we had lacked respect, hurling insults to Mama Ngina," the DP told the press.
"I wouldn't again, like the Mt Kenya community, for us to get to that point again of lacking respect for our elders. I would like to ask for forgiveness from Mama Ngina."
When asked whether he would seek former President Uhuru Kenyatta for a truce meeting to charter the future of Mt Kenya region's politics, Gachagua responded that 'These things solve themselves.'
A storm erupted in the country in March 2022 a few months before the August General election when a number of leaders insulted the former first lady.
At the time, leaders attached to Kenya Kwanza had asked Mama Ngina to keep off politics after she advised her son's supporters to follow his political direction.
"He (Uhuru) didn’t have a problem (with DP Ruto), but if your deputy shows you disrespect, would you stick there? You will move on," the former First Lady advised at the time.
At the time, Uhuru had bypassed his then-deputy William Ruto to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's bid for the top job.
“I wish she would keep off politics. If she decides to play politics when the field becomes crowded, stay in the firing line,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei fired off.
Women leaders later demanded an apology from the Kenya Kwanza leaders arguing that their remarks were a disrespect to the then Head of State.
BBI Direction
During his interview, Gachagua further revealed that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) between Uhuru and Raila failed due to arrogance.
"BBI failed because its proponents were arrogant, beating their chests telling us it will be forced down our throats like medicine. If they approached the entire situation with respect, we would have considered passing it," he stated.
