DP Rigathi Gachagua's office seeks supplier of seafood, Kenyans react

A seafood platter. [iStockphoto]

A tender notice by the Office of the Deputy President was the subject of online debate on Tuesday morning, owing to a request for the supply of "seafood".

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna took to Twitter, on May 9, to chide Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the development, accusing the DP of having misplaced priorities.

"Bash kuruka pale (Harambee Avenue) Annex. Unalipa tax ya weave ndio mtu amezoea mtura akule seafood," Sifuna tweeted, making reference to the proposed taxes on hair products.

Kenyans on Twitter reacted differently to the tweet as some bashed the DP, with others defending him.

"Hii serikali itatumaliza," one user identifying himself as JM replied, in support of the senator.

"Kwani time ya Uhuru walikuwa wanasupply managu?" an Aaron Mutai sarcastically replied, defending Gachagua's office.

"Eti mtura... hadi crabs," Humphrey Mwamba chimed in.

"Sasa seafood ni kitu ya kukukasirisha?" NJ Joan posed to the senator. "It's not that expensive."

Later, Sifuna would describe Gachagua as "Kenya's Marie Antoinette."

"At a time most Kenyans can barely afford unga, he is putting out tenders for lobsters and prawns," he said.

The Standard could not independently verify whether the seafood tender included supplying lobsters and prawns as alleged by the Senate deputy minority whip.

Other items listed in the tender notice, under the category "Supply of Meat and Meat Products", include poultry, beef, pork, lamb and goat. The tender is open to all, as are many of the other tenders listed in the notice published in local dailies.

Sifuna is among 14 lawmakers that form a bipartisan committee looking into the demands of the opposition Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya outfit, which include the biting cost of living. The senator has been vocal about the cost of unga, saying it would be a deal breaker in the talks.