Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs Peter Mbae has distanced the Rigathi Gachagua-led party from Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, saying he is a state agent and does not belong to their party or, by extension, the United Opposition.
This follows the remarks by Kahiga soon after Raila Odinga’s passing, which attracted the anger of the public and resulted in the resignation of the Nyeri governor as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors.
During a funeral in Nyeri, where he addressed the gathering in the Kikuyu language, Kahiga had claimed that the government had put focus and resources to Nyanza because President William Ruto had been working with Raila Odinga. Kahiga appeared to suggest that Raila’s passing was “God’s plan” and had “levelled the political playing field.”
“The plan that had been hatched, if you look keenly for those who do not travel because I was in that (Nyanza) region, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans. It seemed like they did away with us(Mt Kenya), but God came and brought this thing,” Kahiga said.
In response to Kahiga’s comments, the DCP official Mbae said the remarks do not reflect the position of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He added that Kahiga was being used by those he works for.
He urged Kenyans not to be misled into associating Kahiga’s statements with their camp, saying the governor has been closely working with individuals the opposition rejected a year ago.
“Please, I will say this from the word go. Kahiga does not represent us. Kahiga ni Mutu ya state by extension because nimtu ya state. Mtagoganishwa vichwa hii town So please, can you look for your enemy in the right place?” Mbae said.
He also argued that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had previously sent Kahiga to represent him in church functions, proving that Kahiga’s allegiance is to the state and not to the United Opposition.
“Kahiga is not our person; he does not belong to us. He has been walking around with people we rejected a year ago; even Deputy President Kindiki sent Kahiga to represent him in his church,” he added.
Mbae criticized ODM leaders for associating Kahiga’s comments to Rigathi Gachagua, saying they’re going after the wrong people. He urged them to focus instead on whoever told Kahiga to make those remarks about Raila Odinga’s death. According to Mbae, the real culprits are operating within the broad-based government.
“So how can you accuse us of being linked to Rigathi Gachagua over Kahiga?” he asked. “The person ODM should be calling out is whoever sent Kahiga to speak ill of Raila’s death. That’s who you should be dealing with and they’re right there in the broad based.”
He also warned ODM leaders to direct their energies towards the real agitators instead of fighting their shadows.
On Wednesday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) told Rigathi Gachagua to stay away from Bondo, the late Raila Odinga’s residence in Siaya County.
Speaking to the media in Kisumu on Wednesday, ODM Kisumu Deputy Chairperson Seth Kanga, who is also an Assembly Whip, hinted that the party would not welcome Gachagua’s planned visit to Nyanza. He alluded to what he referred to as “unfriendly sentiments” towards ODM and its leadership.
“We’ve heard that Gachagua and his team are planning to visit the home of our party leader, the late Raila Odinga,” Kanga said. “We’re urging him, please, don’t step foot in Bondo.”
