Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken of his political opponents, stating that he is not worried about his future.
He affirmed that he has already mentored and trained a new generation of young leaders from Mt Kenya who are prepared to take over leadership when he exits the political scene.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 1, during the burial of Nyandarua MCA Betty Kairi, Gachagua emphasised that he has no fear of death or imprisonment. He noted that within a short time, he had successfully raised capable young leaders who are ready to carry forward his vision and defend the interests of the Mt Kenya region.
He declared that even if he were to be jailed or pass away, the region would remain in safe hands, as the leaders he has nurtured will continue the struggle and protect the community’s political and economic interests.
“Wewe William Ruto, hata ukiniangaisha ama unifunge I have within a short time mentored another generation of leaders to take over, kwa hivyo hii jamii haina shida,” Gachagua said.
Message to Mt Kenya lawyers
Gachagua also expressed gratitude to Mt Kenya lawyers for acting swiftly to secure the release of young people from the region who were arrested following recent protests. He specifically thanked Kirinyaga lawyers, led by Woman Representative Jane Njeri, for ensuring that all arrested protesters from the county were freed.
“I want to thank our lawyers; hapa nyandarua wameshikana wameenda pale wanetoa vijana wetu asantaeni. I want to thank our lawyers, wakiongozwa na kasheri wameenda wakatoa vijana,” Gachagua stated.
He asked lawyers from the 11 Mt Kenya counties to organise themselves into legal teams capable of responding promptly whenever young people from the region are arrested. He insisted that by the end of the week, each team should be in place to provide immediate legal assistance to any arrested youth.
“Sasa mimi nataka kutoa agizo katika mlima all our lawyers in our 11 counties very quickly, mjipange into groups; by the end of the week mtengeneze group ya mawakili ya kutetea vijana wetu wakipelekwa kortini,” he added.
Further, Gachagua called upon businesspeople from Mt Kenya to be financially prepared to contribute towards bail and legal costs whenever young people are unlawfully detained.
“Wafanyabiashara wetu, nataka kupeana mwelekeo mkuwe tayari; tukisikia, vijana wameshikwa. Pesa inatakikana ya kutoa bond, mnachanga pesa haraka, vijana wetu wanatolewa,” he added.
According to Gachagua, the community is at risk, and they now have to come together to guard the interests of the community.
