Gachagua Shares Business Advice from Kibaki During Campus Days
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently revealed the invaluable business advice he received from former President Mwai Kibaki during his university days.
Gachagua spoke about the pivotal moment when Kibaki gave him a book that would shape his path to success in business, during a visit to Kibaki’s office when he was a student leader at the University of Nairobi (UON).
Speaking at the 2nd Mwai Kibaki Memorial Lecture and Luncheon at Serena Hotel on Friday, April 2, Gachagua reflected on how Kibaki’s mentorship significantly influenced his business journey.
The former DP shared that back in 1988, while still at UON, he was eager to build a successful business.
Gachagua, who was the chairman of the Nyeri University Student Association at the time, sought a meeting with Kibaki, who was the Vice President then.
Through the help of his Member of Parliament, he arranged an audience with Kibaki at his office in Jogoo House.
During their conversation, Gachagua shared his ambitions of venturing into business, hoping Kibaki would offer financial support to help him start his journey.
However, Kibaki’s response was quite different. Rather than offering money, Kibaki walked over to his bookshelf, took out a book by Jonathan Black titled Oil, and handed it to Gachagua.
Kibaki’s advice was simple: “If you want to do business, go and read this book, and you will be a good businessman.” This gesture of mentorship from Kibaki became a turning point for Gachagua, who credits this moment for shaping his successful business empire today.
At the time, Gachagua was pursuing a degree in Political Science and Literature at UON, a university known for producing prominent political figures, especially in the 80s and 90s.
Gachagua later went on to serve as a District Officer in the Provincial Administration, and his journey as a businessman reflects the profound influence of Kibaki’s advice.
Gachagua also took the opportunity to praise Kibaki’s remarkable record in driving development in Kenya, contrasting it sharply with the current administration under President William Ruto.
He criticized Ruto’s government for what he termed a “massive downgrade” in development compared to Kibaki’s era.
Gachagua pointed out that Kibaki’s economic policies, which emphasized sound fiscal management, led to visible improvements across the country.
He noted that under Kibaki’s leadership, the taxes paid by Kenyans were reflected in the visible development and services provided.
In contrast, Gachagua expressed concern over the current regime’s handling of taxes, stating that Kenyans are not opposed to paying taxes, but they have issues when they cannot see tangible results from their contributions.
“Kenyans don’t mind paying taxes, but they want to see where the money is going. What they have a problem with is when the money is misused,” he remarked.
He went on to say that Kibaki is a living example of how Kenyans are willing to pay taxes, but they expect to see a corresponding return in services and development.
In his address, Gachagua also discussed the controversy surrounding the performance of the play Echoes of War by students at Butere Girls High School.
He linked the alleged mistreatment of the students in Nakuru to a failure in the country’s intelligence systems.
He specifically called out the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, for allegedly failing to prevent the intimidation of the students.
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