Riggy G: Kenyans Praise Ruto’s Deputy for Blasting Uhuru in Inaugural Speech

By Kevin Koech

Posted on 14 September 2022

President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagu, Chief Justice Martha Koome and Chief Registrar Ann Amadi PHOTO/COURTESY

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, September 13 sparked reactions after publicly attacking former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The DP hit out at Uhuru when he took to the podium to make his inauguration speech after taking the oath of office.

Gachagua accused Uhuru of messing the country’s economy, adding that the new government have a hard task of reviving the economy.

“The truth of the matter is that we have inherited a dilapidated economy which is almost facing shut down. We have a huge task to liberate this country and bring it back to where Mwai Kibaki left it,” he said.

He also claimed that Uhuru’s administration operated on intimidations, threats and surveillance of government officers.

“Today, I want to tell the people of Kenya that you are finally free. Public servants and all people of Kenya you don’t have to fear talking through WhatsApp for fear of being recorded

“I want to give a word on behalf of our President, that you are free to criticise his government without fear of reprisal,” Gachagua added.

Gachagua also talked of business people being harassed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and other governing authorities.

“I am behind you. We shall be available and will try to keep up with the pace. I am stepping into shoes that are almost impossible to fill

“We will fix this economy and create a good working environment where Kenyans can work and businessmen are not harassed by KRA,” he said.

DP Rigathi Gachagua hits out at Uhuru's leadership. pic.twitter.com/rpy9OgqkPw

— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) September 13, 2022

His speech sparked reactions from netizens as seen below.

Jermain Blain: We shouldn’t be afraid of the truth, Uhuru carried out a lot of injustices and misused state machinery to harass his political rivals. He has left us a dilapidated and torn economy, ukweli usemwe openly.

Kuiyaki: It is the right podium to do it. Speak it as it is. Tufiche ukweli hadi lini?

Zhang Xuan: He actually tried. My expectations were worse. Telling Rigathi to talk without mentioning the former president is like telling him not to speak.

Makali Juma: Rigathi made us proud. If you oppress and humiliate others just know your day is coming. We need more people like Rigathi in this country.

Ben Elux: I think its good to speak it the way it is as Rigathi did. There is nothing to hide, Uhuru was elected to serve the public, and in public he will be answerable to the job he was given. Even Ruto will be answerable. No soothing anyone’s ego. Let that seat be hot!

Elsewhere, Gachagua has said that he will work on his dressing code and weight.

This comes amid sharp criticism from Kenyans on social media in the recent months over his choice of dressing and weight.

Speaking from his Karen residence, Gachagua noted that he had taken note of the comments and admitted that he is in bad shape.

He said that he has already started working on reducing weight by hitting the gym.

“I put up this gym 15 years ago and after the state onslaught, I did not come here. I am in pretty bad shape as I have gained weight. Now that things have changed, I will be back

“Many people have been raising questions about how I dress. I had no luxury to look at how I dressed. My eyes were always over my shoulders and taking care of my family,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua stated that it will take him only three months to get back in shape.

“In the next three months, I will be in very good shape and people will like what they see. I will reduce from 94 kilos to 84 kilos,” he added.