Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced that he will no longer defend Members of Parliament who voted in favor of the controversial and now rejected Finance Bill 2024.
Speaking at a church service in Bomet on Sunday, Gachagua acknowledged receiving numerous messages from dissatisfied Kenyans who are unhappy with his continued apologies on behalf of these MPs.
“Kenyans don’t want me to apologize on behalf of the MPs. They have warned me that if I continue defending them, then I will find myself in trouble. So I have decided not to talk about the MPs and instead focus on President William Ruto and myself,” Gachagua stated.
He urged the beleaguered MPs to return to their constituents, face them, and seek forgiveness independently.
Gachagua recounted an incident in Kenol, Murang’a County, where residents refused to listen to the MPs accompanying him, insisting that only he address them. “This shows that Kenyans are angry with their MPs, and it’s now time they go back to the grassroots and talk to their people,” he added.
The Deputy President also criticized elected and appointed leaders for displaying arrogance and opulence, warning that such behavior only erodes the trust between leaders and the people.
“I have seen some people have got money and have become arrogant, forgetting where we came from. This government was formed through prayers and will be sustained by prayers,”
Gachagua said, highlighting that some leaders have started flaunting wealth and disrespecting the very citizens who ensured their election.
The Finance Bill 2024, which proposed heavy taxation measures, has sparked outrage across the country, leading to widespread protests, particularly among the youth. These protests escalated into a significant event on Tuesday, culminating in the invasion of the Kenyan Parliament. The violent clashes between protesters and police resulted in the tragic shooting deaths of some demonstrators, forcing President William Ruto to withdraw the bill entirely.
Gachagua stressed the need for humility among leaders, particularly those from the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, many of whom voted for the unpopular bill.
“Let us stop chest-thumping, let us respect the people of Kenya, and let’s address them with humility and respect,” he admonished. Gachagua called on leaders to respect their offices and institutions, even if they disagree with the current occupants.
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