‘Shareholders remark is Biblical’: Gachagua tells critics he won’t apologise

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pushed back against his critics for calling him out over remarks he made in February that priorities in the Kenya Kwanza administration will be given to those he terms as ‘shareholders.’

Speaking on Sunday in Nandi County when he presided over a fundraiser at the Kapsabet ACK church, the DP made it clear that he was not backing down on his comments that have since sparked controversy.

“The matter of saying those who voted (for this government) be looked after is Biblical. What I am asking is within the Bible,” he told faithful.

He made a reference to Galatians 6:10 in the Bible, which says, “So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

The deputy president insisted that he has a duty to protect the interests of those who voted in the Kenya Kwanza administration and he will not stop any time soon, pointing an accusing finger at the media and refuting claims of a rift between him and his boss.

“It is in the Bible; not my words. I want to tell these people, don’t waste your time, there will be no division in this government. President William Ruto and I talk the same language. We consult, agree and move on,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua explained his Mt Kenya unity bid as a move aimed at ensuring President Ruto gets a decisive victory in the next general election as the president seeks to loop in other regions in their 2027 political game plan.

Gachagua has come under heavy criticism lately over his stand that those who voted in the president should be first among equals in serving in government.

Some of the backlash even came from within the Kenya Kwanza alliance itself, with Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro saying the shareholder narrative should be shelved.

"For me all parts of Kenya are useful, there is no part that is useless because you are contributing with your fish, cotton, and avocados, are you not shareholders? Everybody in this country is a shareholder," Kuria said during a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Siaya.

Osoro, on his part, noted: "Stop this shareholders issue. All Kenyans are in government and all of us want to be involved in development issues. Honeymoon is over, celebrations are over."