Former senior Economic Adviser to the President, Moses Kuria, has declared that he will stand in defense of Rigathi Gachagua’s political rights, even though the two have long held contrasting views on leadership and style.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Kuria said that while he disagrees with many of Gachagua’s methods, the former Deputy President is entitled to participate in politics provided it is done within the boundaries of the law.
“Rigathi Gachagua has every right to practice his politics in the best way he knows how, as long as he is not contravening the law,” Kuria stated. “I will defend those political rights to my death. But this country does not belong to any one politician.”
Kuria admitted to parting ways with Gachagua on three key issues, the most significant being his criticism of tribal-based politics.
“At this age and time, we cannot conduct politics as we did in the 1990s. Everything is finite, including tribalism,” he said. “For me, politics that revolves around tribe has no space in this country. Even I may once have been accused of tribalism, but every angel has a past and every sinner has a future.”
He also questioned Gachagua’s leadership style in the Mt. Kenya region, cautioning that Kenya’s democratic space must allow for diversity of alliances and ideas.
While defending Gachagua’s right to political participation, Kuria warned against rhetoric that could inflame ethnic tensions, drawing parallels to the fragile political climate after the 2007 elections. He urged restraint, saying leaders must ensure their actions build unity rather than division.
Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024, has since launched the Democracy for the Citizens Party, which is aligned with the opposition coalition.
For Kuria, the message was clear: politics may divide leaders on approach, but rights and freedoms must remain non-negotiable.
