The war of words between President William Ruto ’s Kenya Kwanza administration and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua escalated yesterday, with each side seeking to rebut the other’s claims and gain the political upper hand.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, pro-government MPs challenged Mr Gachagua to account for his record during the two years he served in the Kenya Kwanza administration before his removal from office.
Mr Ichung’wah, the Kikuyu MP, also accused Mr Gachagua of double-speak and pursuing an ill-intentioned campaign aimed at disparaging the government and foreign corporations.
Mr Ichung’wah was flanked by members of the broad-based government, including Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro.
“He is attempting to take stock of the four years of the Ruto administration, an administration that he served for a record two years of those four years. He sat in Cabinet, in National Security Council meetings and he defended this government, its policies and its record. What lasting policy did he leave behind? What was his great idea for Kenya? And I dare ask, what is your great idea for Kenya today, Gachagua?” Mr Ichung’wah posed.
Broad-based MPs fire back at Gachagua over his four-year Ruto scorecard
The team defended Dr Ruto’s administration, citing a decline in the retail price of maize flour as an indicator of the changes in the food sector. In the health sector, the MPs referred to reforms, including the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and expansion of primary healthcare through Community Health Promoters.
Mr Ichung’wah also dismissed Gachagua’s remarks on the welfare of coffee farmers, claiming some quarters within his political circles are working with coffee cartels to exploit farmers.
He also mounted a strong defence of government programmes, particularly the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Affordable Housing Programme, arguing that they were designed to improve the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.
Mr Ichung’wah also took issue with Mr Gachagua’s recent claims about rogue police officers serving in the National Police Service, accusing him of “playing petty politics with the country’s security apparatus with an intent to cause anarchy and subvert the rule of law”.
The Majority Leader accused the former Deputy President of exploiting the death of Mr Odinga for political gain.
“Rigathi lacks empathy and remorse. He is dancing on the grave of a patriot and trying to make political capital out of the death of a statesman, Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga,” he said.
He also defended the administration against Gachagua’s criticism of the government’s performance, saying the broad-based administration had undertaken what he described as significant structural reforms.
“We have said Kenyans will judge this administration at the end of next year, this term next year in August,” he said.
Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Susan Mang’eni also rejected Gachagua’s criticism of the Hustler Fund.
Mr Gachagua had questioned the impact of the programme and its ability to transform the businesses of ordinary Kenyans.
“It is important to set the record straight, using Nyeri County as an example. To date, in Nyeri County, 420,000 Kenyans have accessed the Hustler Fund, borrowing cumulatively Sh1.88 billion. Actually, this represents more than half of Nyeri County's population,” she stated.
