Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was on Tuesday, September 13, sworn in as the second in command.
In his inaugural speech, the former Mathira MP called out the now retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for leaving the country in a dilapidated state.
“The truth of the matter is that we have inherited a dilapidated economy which is almost facing shut down. We have a huge task to liberate this country and bring it back to where late president Mwai Kibaki left it,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s speech drew mixed reactions among Kenyans who felt that the second in command had embarrassed the first family by exposing the country’s key information to foreign dignitaries.
However, speaking to NTV on Sunday, September 18, the former legislator dismissed the criticism saying he was only stating things the way they are.
Gachagua, who once served as Jubilee party leader Uhuru Kenyatta’s personal assistant said he does not owe an apology for telling the truth adding that is how he was raised.
“Truth must be said. Even in the years, I will be the deputy president, I will speak the truth as it is. What is wrong with me saying that we have inherited a dilapidated economy? That is the truth,
“I speak the truth irrespective of the occasion. I spoke to the people of Kenya and those who have concerns should not have about what I said. There should be a concern about the clapping at the event. Kenyans were in agreement with me,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua, who bitterly fell out with Uhuru further dismissed the assertion that his inauguration speech was based on his personal differences with Uhuru Kenyatta.
“My speech at the Inauguration was not based on personal differences with Uhuru Kenyatta, I needed to tell the people of Kenya the kind of country we have inherited…That they are finally free,” he said.
