Diaspora youth tell Gachagua to drop tribal politics and lead all Kenyans
Kenyan youth living in the United States have called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what they view as divisive politics and a failure to present himself as a unifying national leader.
During a town hall meeting in Baltimore—part of Gachagua’s ongoing tour of the US—Valentine Wanjiru Githae of the 625 Movement challenged the former DP to reconsider his rhetoric and approach if he hopes to mount a serious presidential campaign in 2027.
Wanjiru, who comes from Gachagua’s home constituency of Mathira, questioned why the meeting opened in Kikuyu, despite being held overseas before a diverse Kenyan audience.
She stressed the importance of moving away from ethnic-based politics and urged Gachagua to adopt a more inclusive leadership style.
“If we position ourselves as Kikuyu, another tribe will also do that, and before we know it, we are back to the same problem,” she said.
Sense of entitlement
She also criticised a recent speech Gachagua gave in Boston, in which he praised the Kikuyu community for driving the Kenyan economy due to their work ethic.
Wanjiru warned that such statements promote a sense of entitlement and ignore the contributions of other communities.
“We cannot say that people from other tribes are not hardworking. We have that sense of entitlement as Kikuyus, and it has to stop. If I do not say that, I will not be telling Mheshimiwa the truth,” she stated.
Gachagua’s US visit, which includes stops in Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore, is part of a broader strategy to engage with the diaspora and build support ahead of the 2027 elections.
As part of the tour, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader also launched new party offices in Massachusetts and Washington State to expand his political footprint beyond Kenya.
Responding to Wanjiru’s remarks, Gachagua claimed that the ethnic narrative was being driven by Kenya Kwanza as a tactic to silence voices from the Mount Kenya region.
“My daughter, don’t fall for that narrative. That narrative is meant to intimidate the Mt Kenya people,” he said.
During a town hall meeting in Baltimore—part of Gachagua’s ongoing tour of the US—Valentine Wanjiru Githae of the 625 Movement challenged the former DP to reconsider his rhetoric and approach if he hopes to mount a serious presidential campaign in 2027.
Wanjiru, who comes from Gachagua’s home constituency of Mathira, questioned why the meeting opened in Kikuyu, despite being held overseas before a diverse Kenyan audience.
She stressed the importance of moving away from ethnic-based politics and urged Gachagua to adopt a more inclusive leadership style.
“If we position ourselves as Kikuyu, another tribe will also do that, and before we know it, we are back to the same problem,” she said.
Sense of entitlement
She also criticised a recent speech Gachagua gave in Boston, in which he praised the Kikuyu community for driving the Kenyan economy due to their work ethic.
Wanjiru warned that such statements promote a sense of entitlement and ignore the contributions of other communities.
“We cannot say that people from other tribes are not hardworking. We have that sense of entitlement as Kikuyus, and it has to stop. If I do not say that, I will not be telling Mheshimiwa the truth,” she stated.
Gachagua’s US visit, which includes stops in Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore, is part of a broader strategy to engage with the diaspora and build support ahead of the 2027 elections.
As part of the tour, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader also launched new party offices in Massachusetts and Washington State to expand his political footprint beyond Kenya.
Responding to Wanjiru’s remarks, Gachagua claimed that the ethnic narrative was being driven by Kenya Kwanza as a tactic to silence voices from the Mount Kenya region.
“My daughter, don’t fall for that narrative. That narrative is meant to intimidate the Mt Kenya people,” he said.
Rigathi Gachagua
United States
Former Deputy President
Democracy for Citizens Party
DCP
625 Movement
Valentine Wanjiru Githae
2027 presidential campaign
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