Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, urging him to abandon helicopter travel over fears it could be used as a means of assassination.
Speaking to mourners in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Thursday, Gachagua revealed that he had personally cautioned the ODM Secretary-General about the dangers of air travel, particularly for young, influential politicians.
“I have told him that since he is popular and this country needs him, he should stop flying and keep his movements on the ground,” Gachagua told the gathering. “I am an elder statesman who is able to see darkness at the end of a tunnel and advise accordingly.”
The former Deputy President suggested that Sifuna, who has a young family and commands significant political influence, could be vulnerable to foul play while using helicopters. He urged the senator to emulate his own travel habits by sticking to road transport.
“We too can afford choppers and can afford to fly in ‘the eagle’ (aeroplane) but we don’t,” Gachagua stated, emphasizing his preference for ground transportation despite having the financial means for air travel.
In remarks that raised eyebrows, Gachagua appeared to suggest that the government might resort to extreme measures to silence opposition voices. Speaking partly in Kiswahili, he said: “Nimemwambia kwa sababu wewe ni mdogo na una ushawishi mkubwa Kenya na hii nchi inakutegemea hiyo chopper unatumia wachana nayo, ndege tunaweza nunua na twende nayo lakini nchi inatuhitaji na tuko na bibi na watoto ambao wanatuhitaji.” (I have told him that because you are young and have great influence in Kenya and this country depends on you, stop using that chopper. We can buy planes and travel with them, but the country needs us and we have wives and children who need us.)
The warning comes amid heightened political tensions in the country, with Sifuna being one of the most vocal critics of government policies.
Senator Sifuna had not responded to Gachagua’s remarks by the time of publication.
