Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kenyans to exercise patience with President William Ruto as he continues discussions with various stakeholders regarding the recent protests. Gachagua called for restraint, asking citizens to respect leaders and refrain from jeering MPs or damaging their properties in response to the Finance Bill 2024, which has already been rejected by the President.
Gachagua emphasized that President Ruto has initiated consultations with diverse groups, including church leaders and the business community, to address the issues raised by Generation Z demonstrators. He assured that the government is working to resolve the concerns and encouraged Kenyans to maintain peace and order during this period.
“Let us give the President a chance to complete the consultation with all stakeholders including the business community and church leaders, among others. Things will stabilise soon and the country will be on a good trajectory of development,” said Mr Gachagua on Saturday.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made these remarks while addressing Murang’a County residents at Kaharati Primary School grounds in Maragua Constituency during the Maragua Education Endowment Fund event. He also acknowledged greetings from the thousands of people who turned up at Kenol Town.
Appealing to Generation Z to cease their protests, Gachagua urged them to refrain from intimidating leaders over their stance on the Finance Bill 2024. He noted that the bill has been rejected by President Ruto, who issued a memorandum addressing the concerns raised.
“Let us give leaders an opportunity to serve us. There is no need to intimidate them, destroy their property or jeer them. There will be a right time to make a decision on whether to return them to office or not,” said Mr Gachagua.
The Deputy President, who was in the company of various leaders, further said that the Government has considered the issues raised by Gen-Z protesters.
“To the Gen-Z protesters, we have listened and heard you. Our young children and teenagers have knowledge, we have experience. We can combine the two for the good of our nation,” he said.
He continued: ” You have a valid point. We will take your suggestions. The President has already started the process of consultation. I will continue assisting the President”.
” It’s time for work, not politics. Kenyans will have the opportunity to make leadership changes in the next election cycle. We are proud of what the DP is doing in his mandates including the fight against illicit brews and drugs and substance abuse. The elected leaders are working with the National Government Administration Officers to eradicate the vices. You have saved a generation in the initiative,” said Maragua MP Mary Wamaua to the DP.
She said that on reforms in coffee, tea, avocado and dairy and other agricultural sectors the Deputy President has done well and the rural economy is roaring back.
“We support the Deputy President and President and we urge them to continue with the national unity agenda,” said Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa.
During the event, political leaders emphasized the importance of focusing on development. The senator criticized some political leaders for misconstruing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s unity agenda as tribalism, calling such interpretations misdirected.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, who chairs the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, highlighted the government’s initiatives in the trade and agriculture sectors aimed at creating job and income opportunities. He urged young political leaders to respect the Deputy President and reiterated that there is no division within the Presidency.
The event also saw the participation of several MPs, including Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), and Benjamin Gathiru Mejjadonk (Embakasi Central), as well as MCAs led by the host, Kamahuha Ward Representative James Karanja Wa-kabera.
