Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited controversy with remarks made in Texas, declaring that his Democratic Conservative Party (DCP) will only field parliamentary candidates fluent in English to rival Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MPs.
This stance, prioritizing linguistic prowess over service delivery, has drawn sharp criticism for trivializing leadership and risking Mt. Kenya’s political unity.
Gachagua’s focus on English fluency dismisses the real issues facing Kenyans—unemployment, healthcare, and education. Political analyst Prof. Mary Wanjiru calls it “a betrayal of voters’ priorities,” arguing that Mt. Kenya needs MPs who deliver results, not debate wins.
His strategy also reveals a deeper aim: to cultivate loyalists who will champion his agenda, a tactic echoing his divisive 2022 campaign against Uhuru Kenyatta-aligned MPs.
Ironically, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPs Gachagua backed in 2022 spearheaded his October 2024 impeachment, citing corruption and ethnic incitement. Now, post-impeachment, he seeks to rebuild his influence in Mt. Kenya by rallying support for DCP candidates. Critics warn this could fracture the region’s political cohesion and reignite ethnic tensions.
In Texas, Gachagua’s remarks disappointed the Kenyan diaspora, who expected focus on development, not anti-ODM rhetoric.
“We need leaders addressing jobs and corruption, not English skills,” said Jane Muthoni, a Houston-based nurse. Social media, including X, has amplified the backlash, with users like @BiancaNaom1 urging voters to reject Gachagua’s “schemes.”
With his political future clouded by a constitutional ban on impeached officials holding office, Gachagua’s push for loyal, English-speaking MPs risks alienating Mt. Kenya voters.
The region, a key electoral bloc, deserves leaders focused on unity and progress, not personal agendas. As 2027 looms, Kenyans must prioritize substance over superficiality to avoid falling into Gachagua’s trap.
