Gachagua tells MPs to bite the bullet and face the people

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses worshippers during a church service at Deliverance Church International, Kaplong, Bomet County on June 30, 2024. [DPCS, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on MPs to bite the bullet and come out and apologise to the people rather than engaging them in hide-and-seek games.

Gachagua, who attended a church service at Kaplong Deliverance Church in Bomet County, noted that legislators are afraid to turn out in public after supporting the Finance Bill, 2024.

MPs from Bomet County kept off the church service. Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, Kangema MP Peter Kiungi, Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku and seven Members of the County Assembly received the Deputy President.

“I know why MPs are still afraid to turn up in public, it is because of the Finance Bill and I would advise them to avoid playing cat-and-mouse games and apologise to members of the public for voting Yes,” said Gachagua.

He said with the ongoing debate on the Bill and youth out of the streets, the leaders should own up to the mistake and go back to listen to the members of the public arguing they were making it worse by staying away from the public.

The Deputy President, who was in the company of Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku and Kagema MP Peter Kiungi said despite the prevailing political situation in the country, he would continue to tell the truth and what Kenyans need.

“As the President’s principal assistant, I want to assure Kenyans that I will continue discharging my duties as the Deputy President without fear including ensuring what Kenyans want is respected,” he said.

Gachagua said what the president wants at the moment are people who tell him the truth ‘‘and that is what I swore to do’’.

The DP used the event to assure locals that he was still on good terms with the President.

He said despite a few leaders who are close to the president, they were still in terms and engaging on matters facing the nation.

The DP also hailed the President for initiating a dialogue framework over issues raised by youth recently.

Sharing Gachagua’s sentiments on the need by MPs to own up to the Finance Bill outcry, Ngeno said as lawmakers they did not heed calls from members of the public.

President Ruto on his part called on Kenyans to shun violence and instead embrace peaceful, all-inclusive approaches to tackling issues affecting the country.

The Presiden, who attended a church service at Lolgorian Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa in Narok County on Sunday, aid Kenya stood a better chance of transformation if people are united to confront the challenges that face the nation.

Those present at service included Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu and former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai.