In a rare appearance since his impeachment, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attended a church service on Sunday, October 27, at Saint James ACK Cathedral in Kiambu County.
During the service, he delivered a speech that touched on both the state of the nation and his personal journey in recent weeks.
Gachagua urged Kenyans to support President William Ruto through prayer, emphasizing the heavy responsibilities and challenges the head of state currently faces.
“I want to ask Kenyans to pray for President Ruto to give him wisdom to navigate the challenges affecting Kenyans,” Gachagua appealed.
His words highlighted the pressures and difficulties facing Ruto’s administration, especially as the government contends with pressing economic issues, regional security concerns, and social discontent.
Despite his recent dismissal, Gachagua’s demeanor was notably composed, a contrast to the fiery confrontations that had marked his final days in office.
In recent weeks, he had found himself at the center of intense political battles involving the National Assembly, the Senate, and ultimately, the High Court, which upheld his removal from office.
Although the journey has been arduous, Gachagua maintained a resolute stance, reflecting on his experience with a message of forgiveness while hinting at future disclosures about his downfall.
The former Deputy President acknowledged that his ouster had left him with many stories untold, stories he promised would eventually come to light.
“We forgive but we don’t forget,” Gachagua remarked, drawing on historical analogies to underscore the depth of his sentiments. “I’ve heard people saying that three years is a lot of time, that by 2027, people will have forgotten.
Even the atrocities meted on us by the white man, the pain we suffered under President Moi we still remember. When the time is right, we will address the issue at hand.
But at the moment, we will keep quiet.”Gachagua’s statement suggests a deep-seated sense of injustice surrounding his impeachment, as well as a commitment to eventually reveal details of what transpired behind the scenes.
His decision to invoke historical injustices also resonated with many in the congregation, connecting his personal grievances with a broader narrative of resilience and memory in Kenya’s political landscape.
For now, however, Gachagua chose to withhold specific details, instead signaling a wait-and-see approach as he bides his time.In calling on Kenyans to pray for Ruto, Gachagua projected a message of unity, perhaps suggesting that, despite his removal, he remains invested in the country’s welfare and its leadership.
His appeal reflects the myriad challenges facing Ruto’s administration, which include economic recovery, addressing high unemployment rates, and tackling corruption issues that have heightened public scrutiny and criticism of the government.
As Gachagua stated, these are complex issues requiring both strategic governance and public support, particularly in a time of growing dissatisfaction.
Beyond the immediate challenges, Gachagua’s remarks hint at an undercurrent of political rivalry that could resurface as the country moves closer to the next election cycle.
His mention of 2027, when the next general elections are set to take place, suggests he is already looking toward the future, potentially setting the stage for a political comeback or, at the very least, influencing the national dialogue.
As he left Saint James ACK Cathedral, Gachagua had made clear that, while he might be out of office, he is far from silent.
His comments signal that he remains a keen observer of the political ground, one who feels he has been wronged and who is prepared to speak up at a later time.
Meanwhile,is call for Kenyans to rally behind Ruto presents a complex picture—one that combines both support for the current administration and a readiness to scrutinize it when he deems the moment appropriate.In this moment of relative calm following his turbulent exit, Gachagua’s restrained approach may signal a strategic pause, one that allows him to assess the shifting political winds before launching any further moves. For now, Kenyans are left to watch and wait, with the former Deputy President’s message of remembrance echoing long after he has left the pulpit.
