Senator Richard Onyonka has recently weighed in on the heated discussions among ODM members about Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s troubles, saying the whole drama is a result of the current government setup.
According to Onyonka, the way the government is now, with members from both sides working together, has given ODM the chance to go hard on Gachagua, especially since it looks like he’s getting more and more isolated within the Kenya Kwanza camp.
Onyonka explained that the strong stance ODM is taking on Gachagua’s issues isn’t just some political game—it’s a sign of how the political landscape is shifting. With opposition members now part of the government, ODM feels more empowered to call out Gachagua when they think he’s made a mistake or acted out of line. This has led to the idea that ODM MPs are ganging up on Gachagua, almost as if they’re trying to “punish” him for his actions and statements.
Onyonka pointed out that the current broad-based government, meant to include voices from all sides, has actually put Gachagua in a tricky spot. His previous comments about the government focusing too much on “shareholders” instead of the people have drawn a lot of public criticism. He’s also lost some support from his own allies within the ruling party. This has made ODM feel they have a real chance to hold Gachagua accountable, and they’re not holding back.
Onyonka also mentioned how important public opinion is when it comes to Gachagua’s leadership. With Kenyans struggling with issues like the high cost of living, people are expecting the Deputy President to step up and take charge. By being vocal in their criticism, ODM is positioning themselves as the ones who are in touch with what the people want, while Gachagua, in their view, seems out of sync with the everyday struggles of Kenyans.
By Nairobi