In the run-up to the August 9, presidential election, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned chiefs against issuing political orders to Kenyans.
The then Mathira MP told the administrators to stick to their work and assured them that the Kenya Kwanza government will increase their salaries so that they are not misused again.
“We can assure our chiefs that as Kenya Kwanza, we shall improve their welfare from August 9 by increasing their salaries so that they are not misused again in the history of Kenya,” Gachagua said.
However, three months after taking the oath of office, the deputy president has threatened to sack all chiefs who campaigned for President William Ruto’s bitter rival Raila Odinga.
In a report by the Daily Nation dated Thursday, January 12, a section of chiefs from Mathira Constituency in Nyeri County confirmed to have been called by the deputy president.
The administrators who requested their names withheld for fear of victimization revealed that the second in command told them that they will be sacked for supporting Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
The chiefs said the Mt Kenya businessman-cum-politician has asked them to start looking for new jobs noting that it is time for “payback”.
“When I picked up the call, it was the familiar voice of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He started by informing me that he had information that I was among those who supported Azimio during the elections. The call was short, and he ended by asking me how many years are left before I retire,
“He informed me that in the meantime, I should be looking for something else to do because I will be going home. I could not start arguing with such a senior person. However, I tried to explain myself, but he could hear none of it,” one of the chiefs said.
