Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence with a pointed criticism of his successor Kithure Kindiki, accusing him of hiding behind catchy slogans while Kenyans in drought-hit regions continue to suffer.
Speaking during interviews with several Northern and Eastern Kenya vernacular radio stations on Thursday, January 22, 2026, Gachagua dismissed Kindiki’s popular phrases “fire si fire,” “noma si noma,” and “mbegwese” as political theatrics that offer little comfort to communities facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
According to Gachagua, the drought ravaging large parts of Northern Kenya has gone on for months, leaving families without food, children out of school, and pastoralists watching their livestock die.
He questioned why, in the face of such suffering, the Deputy President appears more visible at political rallies than in crisis coordination meetings.
“Leadership is not about slogans,” Gachagua said, arguing that no amount of catchy phrases can replace food relief, water access, or emergency policy action.
He faulted Kindiki for what he described as silence and delayed response, saying the second-in-command should have convened urgent consultations with leaders from affected counties, humanitarian agencies, and government departments to push practical interventions.
Instead, Gachagua claimed, the focus has shifted to political messaging that may excite crowds but does little to address realities on the ground.
Now leading the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Gachagua suggested that the continued use of such slogans signals early political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election, rather than a sincere effort to confront immediate challenges.
Kindiki has often used the phrases to project confidence and rally support for President William Ruto’s administration, but Gachagua warned that Kenyans are increasingly impatient with what he termed “political showmanship without results.”
He insisted that moments of national hardship demand seriousness, empathy, and visible leadership not branding.
“Slogans don’t put food on the table or keep children in school,” he said, calling on national leaders to refocus on service delivery rather than optics.
Gachagua’s remarks add to growing political tension between the former Deputy President and the current administration, with the government’s handling of drought in Northern Kenya becoming a key point of public criticism as the country edges closer to the 2027 election cycle
