Controversial youth figure Calvince Okoth, popularly known as Gaucho, has claimed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odingaplayed a direct role in setting him on the path to his recent appointment to the board of Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.
Speaking during a televised interview, Gaucho said Odinga had personally indicated that he would engage Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to secure him a position.
“Hii habari nilipokea nikiwa kwangu nyumbani…ilikuwa usiku…ya kwamba ni kama ntapata kazi kwa board ya Mama Lucy. Nilikuwa nishaskia hiyo story kama one and a half years ago ya kwamba Sakaja anaweza nitafutia kazi…Raila Odinga ndiye aliniambia ya kwamba anaongea na Sakaja ili atafute mahali aniweke,” he told NTV on Thursday evening.
According to Gaucho, he initially treated the reports of his appointment as speculation, noting that the story had circulated long before any official confirmation.
“So wakati niliambiwa nilifikiria tu ni story…ilitrend kama siku mzima kama sijapost anything…kwa sababu najua Kenyans wanapenda kiki, na mimi mwenyewe bado sikuwa na ukweli…mpaka saa zile nilipata ile gazette notice sasa ndio nikakuja kupost,” he added.
His appointment has since sparked sharp public debate, with a section of Kenyans questioning his suitability; particularly citing his lack of formal education and his absence from recent Gen-Z-led protests.
Responding to the criticism, Gaucho dismissed the concerns, arguing that his role on the board is not technical but representative.
“Baadhi ya Wakenya wanapinga uteuzi wangu katika board ya hospitali ya Mama Lucy Kibaki kwa sababu sikushiriki maandamano ya Gen-Z. Sisi pia tulipokuwa tukiandamana na sufuria na mwiko wlitupinga ya kwamba tunaharibu amani…eti tuko na ujinga. Hii kitu ni kuserve interests za wananchi. Sijaenda pale kupeleka udaktari wangu…madaktari wako pale wa kufanya kazi ya udaktari…hakuna siku utapata nimeweka ile kitu (stethoscope) kwa shingo yangu naenda kupima mtu,” he said.
He acknowledged that he dropped out of school in Class Six, but maintained that his lived experience equips him to represent youth from informal settlements.
“Ni kweli nimewacha shule katika darasa la sita. Lakini nimeteuliwa kuwawakilisha vijana wa ghetto…mimi kama ghetto president, naelewa mashida zao…unapata msichana amepata mimba, mwanaume amehepa, amezaa pale Mama Lucy, nah ana mtu atamsaidia ili atoke. Sasa mimi kama Gaucho ambaye anawakailisha hao vijana na naelewa shida zao, naweza omba board to waive bill ya huyo msichana aende. Sasa hiyo inataka degree gani?” He posed.
Gaucho also addressed accusations labeling him a “goon,” linking the perception to socio-economic realities in informal settlements rather than individual conduct.
“Hii story ya goon inatokea situation ambayo tumelelewa nayo. Watu wa Kijiji, kwa sababu tunakula kibahati na tunalala late, kwa sababu either unakula miraa kwa base ili usahau ya kwamba hujalipa nyumba ama hujaoa, sura yetu inakuwa ngumu,” he said.
“That’s why tunaitwa goons, juu ya sura pekee yake…Wale wanafanya vijana waonekane goons, ni viongozi ambao tumechagua. Hakuna kijana anaweza toka Dandora, Mathare ama Korogocho akuje town na rungu kama hajapewa hiyo rung una kiongozi ambaye nyinyi wenyewe mliweka kwa kiti.”
