A Slur in Machakos: Why Rigathi Gachagua's "Kibaraka" Comment Is an Insult to All of Us
The political stage in Machakos recently became the scene of a familiar but no less repulsive spectacle. Instead of using the platform to articulate a vision for progress or to address the real challenges facing Kenyans, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chose to unleash a tribal slur, referring to Hon. Eng. Vincent Musyoka-Kawaya as President Ruto's "Kibaraka," or "errand boy."
This is more than just a
political insult; it's a profound act of disrespect and a dangerous
continuation of the politics of mediocrity that has held our nation back for
too long. Gachagua's words are a slur not just against one leader, but against
the people he was elected to represent and against the very notion of a new,
progressive kind of politics.
To understand the sheer
arrogance of Gachagua's comment, one must first understand the leader he was
trying to demean. Eng. Vincent Musyoka-Kawaya is not a "kibaraka." He
is a leader with the zeal and zest to break his people free from the chains of
tribal politics and poverty. As the organizing secretary of the ruling party,
he has chosen a path of pragmatism and development over empty rhetoric.
His commitment to his
people is not just talk; it's tangible. He recently launched a "green
revolution" in his Mwala constituency by distributing 200 e-bikes to
bodaboda riders. This is an initiative that he has vowed to replicate across
all 22 constituencies in Ukambani and beyond. This is the work of a leader who
understands that real empowerment comes not from political grandstanding but
from providing opportunities for economic independence.
Eng. Kawaya is a leader
who has chosen to go against the grain. Like Tony Blair when he took over the
UK's Labour Party, he has promised to tell his people the "uncomfortable
truths" about those who have held them in a state of political slavery,
stagnation, and mediocrity. He is a leader who believes in the politics of
merit and action, not in the politics of tribe and division.
For Gachagua to call such
a leader a "kibaraka" is not just an act of political immaturity;
it's a demonstration of his own deeply entrenched tribal bigotry. It's an
insult not only to Hon. Kawaya but to the entire Kamba community he represents.
This is the same Gachagua who has been on record claiming that the Kamba
community's numbers are "insignificant" in Kenya's politics and that
they have "no shares" in the government, and therefore no right to
development or political appointments.
It is an act of blatant
political conmanship for him to now refer to Kambas as "cousins" only
after his political fortunes have turned. Such a sudden change of heart is not
a sign of reconciliation but a transparent attempt to co-opt a community he has
long belittled.
We must reject this brand
of politics. Rigathi Gachagua needs to learn to respect elected leaders and
observe basic decorum in political discourse. Hon. Kawaya is a respected and
ranking member of parliament, and calling him a "kibaraka" is a
direct insult to the entire Kamba community, an insult that will not be
tolerated.
We are not asking for
much. We are asking for politicians to embrace a politics of civility, respect,
and tangible action. We are asking them to leave tribal epithets and old
grievances behind. It's time for our leaders to stop playing games and start
working for the people they are elected to serve. Anything less is a betrayal
of the trust we have placed in them.
Topical
Team
Comments
Post a Comment