Members of Parliament from Nyanza have criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his recent remarks on the region’s political direction, questioning his record and attempts to seek support there ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement, the MPs said Gachagua was free to pursue his political ambitions across the country but argued that his current outreach to Nyanza required him to account for his previous political positions towards the region.
“While Mr Gachagua is entitled to pursue his political ambitions and seek support in every part of Kenya, he must understand that Nyanza is neither politically naive nor afflicted by collective amnesia,” the MPs said.
They accused Gachagua of previously using rhetoric that portrayed Nyanza and its political leadership as hostile to government.
“He cannot court Nyanza today while attempting to rewrite yesterday,” they said.
MPs question Gachagua’s change of position
The lawmakers said Gachagua had previously associated the region with political confrontation and accused him of invoking stereotypes against its residents.
“He repeatedly invoked misguided stereotypes of our people as ‘stone throwers’ and treated our political convictions as something to be feared and/or contained,” they said.
The MPs questioned what they described as a change in Gachagua’s approach to the region.
“Today, he suddenly claims a different story of special relationship with our people. We therefore ask: Which Gachagua should Nyanza believe? And why?” they said.
They said political change was possible but argued that it should be accompanied by an explanation of what had changed.
“Political conversion is possible. But conversion requires explanation, confession and accountability,” the statement said.
The MPs challenged Gachagua to explain what had changed, when the change occurred and why Nyanza residents should now trust him.
MPs reject 30 per cent prediction
The lawmakers also rejected Gachagua’s reported projection that President William Ruto would receive only 30 per cent of the vote in Nyanza in the 2027 election.
“We particularly reject his attempt to prescribe how Nyanza should vote next year by wagering that President William Ruto will receive only 30 per cent of the region’s vote,” they said.
“Nyanza does not take voting instructions from Rigathi Gachagua.”
The MPs said voters in the region would determine their political choices based on their own interests and political convictions.
“The people of Nyanza, guided by their leadership, interests and democratic convictions, will determine their political choices when the time comes,” they said.
They also questioned whether Gachagua’s relationships with some Nyanza politicians gave him broader political standing in the region.
“Knowing our politicians does not confer ownership of the region’s politics,” they said.
“Nyanza has its own leaders, institutions, history and political agency.”
MPs defend Raila Odinga’s political legacy
The MPs further objected to what they described as attempts by Gachagua to associate himself with the political legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
They said Odinga’s relationship with Nyanza was built over decades of political activity and struggle.
“Raila’s relationship with the people of Nyanza and the whole Kenyan nation was forged through decades of sacrifice, struggle and commitment to democracy, justice and national reform,” they said.
“That legacy cannot be inherited through political conmanship, nor can Mr Gachagua appoint himself its custodian.”
The lawmakers said Nyanza should not be treated as a political bloc to be captured for use in wider political contests.
“Nyanza is not a political trophy. It is not a bloc of votes waiting to be captured by ethnic brokers or deployed as ammunition in Mr Gachagua’s political contest with his former boss President Ruto,” they said.
The MPs said the region’s political discussion should instead focus on development priorities.
“The conversation Nyanza wants is not about ethnic arithmetic,” they said.
They listed jobs for young people, investment and industrialisation, roads, energy and infrastructure, modern agriculture, revitalisation of the fishing economy, healthcare, education and economic empowerment among the issues they want addressed.
MPs challenge Gachagua on his record
The lawmakers challenged Gachagua to explain what he did for Nyanza during his time as deputy president.
“Mr Gachagua must therefore answer a simple question: What did he do for Nyanza when he occupied the second-highest office in the Republic and did not need its votes?” they asked.
They said his record should precede any request for support from the region.
“Before rhetoric must come record. Before seeking Nyanza’s future support must come an honest accounting of the past,” the MPs said.
They concluded by saying Nyanza would listen to competing political arguments but retain the right to make its own political decisions.
“Nyanza will listen to everyone. But Nyanza will decide for itself,” they said.
