At January 3 on the funeral service for Eric Mutugi, son of former Embu Speaker Lenny Kivuti, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dismissed accusations of his involvement in abductions, asserting that the government struggles with his candor on critical issues.
Responding to allegations by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah linking him to the abductions, Gachagua labeled the claims as diversionary tactics by the state.
“The problem with this country is the prevalence of lies. Perhaps this is why I was sidelined in government—for speaking the truth,” Gachagua stated.
He called on the government to address the issue and disclose the fate of recently abducted Kenyan youths. “The president claims there’s no evidence of abductions. Meanwhile, his political operatives, including that MP, spread falsehoods implicating me in these cases,” he said.
Gachagua also urged the government to stop viewing citizens through a lens of suspicion and to release the missing youths. “Kenyans are intelligent. You’re running out of lies. You’ve fabricated so much that you now believe your own falsehoods. Who are the young men abducted?” he questioned.
The Deputy President criticized Members of Parliament present at the funeral, accusing them of allowing themselves to be used to create divisions within their political circles. “How can you MPs be so gullible? Someone came here with a Bible, deceived us, and now has you turning against your own,” he remarked.
Gachagua’s comments were a direct response to Ichung’wah’s earlier claims made during the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s mother in Bungoma County. Ichung’wah had accused Gachagua of orchestrating the abductions to shift blame onto President William Ruto.
