Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, launched a blistering attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, accusing him of “unpatriotic” behaviour during his recent trip to the United States. The condemnation came as Mudavadi commissioned vital classrooms and a major water project in Funyula, Busia County.
Gachagua Accused of Sowing Discord and Spreading Falsehoods
Mudavadi spared no criticism for Gachagua, labelling him a “bitter person” who spent his US tour “planting tribalism abroad.” He expressed dismay that Kenyans in the Diaspora reportedly had to urge Gachagua to stop such divisive rhetoric.
“Look at a scenario where Rigathi Gachagua, who has gotten to the level of deputy president, goes abroad and champions tribalism until the people in the Diaspora tell him to shun away from it,” Mudavadi stated. “As Kenyans, our goal is to preach peace across our region.”
Mudavadi reserved his strongest censure for Gachagua’s explosive and unsubstantiated claim that the Kenyan government was collaborating with the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. He firmly dismissed these allegations as “baseless, misleading, and an affront to our national unity.”
“How can he claim such false allegations? If he can reach such an extent of lying, can he be called a patriotic Kenyan?” Mudavadi questioned, reminding the audience of Al-Shabaab’s deadly attacks in Garissa, Dusit D2, and elsewhere. “Al-Shabaab are terrorists who have caused havoc to the country… How can a government work with armed groups that are out to destroy its people and destabilize the country?”
He accused Gachagua of behaving like a “home guard” and acting as an investigator or security agent for a foreign country against Kenya. “You have become a national leader, but you have turned against your own country… That is unpatriotic and uncalled for, it defeats all logic and reason,” Mudavadi declared, urging the former DP to respect Kenya and stop actions that cast doubt on his patriotism.
Mudavadi also questioned Gachagua’s call for the US government to investigate Kenya: “If indeed Rigathi is a patriot, why is he saying he wants the government of the USA to investigate the government of Kenya? Is it that Rigathi is a police officer in the USA? You are a Kenyan, be patriotic, work for your people, speak for your people, and defend your country.”
Funyula Water Project: A Beacon of Development
Striking a starkly different tone, Mudavadi celebrated the commissioning of the significant water project in Funyula. He lauded the local community, their leaders, and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for making the project a reality.
“You all know that clean water leads to healthy living. Dirty water leads to sickness,” Mudavadi emphasized. “The water is so much that it will benefit over 3,000 households. Here in Funyula, each household has around five to ten members. This is a very important project.”
He highlighted an additional benefit: the installation of a solar power system to run the project, which will drastically reduce electricity costs for the community. “The amount you used to pay will drastically reduce, cutting down on the cost,” he explained.
Call for National Unity and Praise for Ruto-Raila Truce
Mudavadi used the platform to passionately urge Kenyans to reject tribalism and divisive politics, instead embracing patriotism and supporting the broad-based government led by President William Ruto, which now includes working closely with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He hailed the political truce between President Ruto and Raila, former fierce election rivals. “They have both had large followings. They have now joined forces and decided to work together in the broad-based government,” Mudavadi noted. “We also need to work together. Just as our leaders have resolved to walk together, we as the electorate need to also walk together and move forward.”
“President Ruto, Raila, and we in the leadership are determined to unite the country and continue enjoying the peace and harmony,” Mudavadi stated. “We need to shun those trying to plant the seeds of discord and tribalism.”
He specifically encouraged Busia residents, where ODM has been dominant, to embrace this new unity symbolized by their leader Raila Odinga working with the President. Mudavadi also stressed that national security was a shared duty, calling on the opposition to avoid turning it into “a platform for political theatre, and revenge.”
“We must guard our national security and stop bringing it into ridicule because of political bickering and revenge,” he warned.
Honoring Moody Awori’s Legacy
Mudavadi was joined at the event by former Vice President Moody Awori, whom he praised extensively. “Uncle Moody has been a pillar in championing education and community service,” Mudavadi remarked. “His dedication to the people of Busia is unmatched, and his presence here today shows the importance of uniting for the greater good.”
The event underscored the government’s focus on development and unity while simultaneously exposing deep political fractures, particularly with former allies like Gachagua, whose overseas remarks continue to draw fierce condemnation from the highest levels of the current administration.
