Gachagua criticises government over evictions, slams SHA rollout
The demolitions followed a directive by President William Ruto in April 2024 after heavy rains caused widespread destruction and deaths along the Nairobi rivers.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his opposition to evictions from riparian land, stating that the government has not fulfilled its pledge to rehabilitate affected areas.
Speaking to the media from his Wamunyoro residence on Sunday, Gachagua insisted that he was not inciting anyone but merely standing by campaign promises.
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"We promised not to demolish people's houses. I was even taken to the Senate, accused of inciting people not to leave the riverbanks, but I was just defending what we promised," he said.
Gachagua questioned why, months after demolitions were carried out, the promised reforestation efforts had not begun.
"Since the houses were demolished, no trees have been planted along the riverbank," he added.
The demolitions followed a directive by President William Ruto in April 2024 after heavy rains caused widespread destruction and deaths along the Nairobi rivers.
Illicit brews
The former DP also raised concerns over the resurgence of illicit brews in Central Kenya, a problem he claims he had previously helped curb.
"I had fought illicit brew in Central. People were happy with this programme. But now these illicit brews are back," he lamented.
In December 2024, he accused the government of deliberately allowing the sale of illicit alcohol in the region, claiming state officials were instructed to permit its production and distribution.
His remarks were dismissed as politically motivated by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
SHA was rushed
The former DP reiterated his opposition to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), arguing that it was implemented without transparency and has left Kenyans struggling.
"I opposed SHIF because it was not transparent. Our people are today suffering because SHA is not working," he said.
The former Mathira MP had previously warned that the government rushed the transition from NHIF to SHA without proper consultation, leading to numerous challenges.
"This programme was rushed without taking sufficient time and consulting all stakeholders," he said in a past interview.
However, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa recently assured Kenyans that the technical issues affecting SHA would be resolved soon.
Political isolation
Gachagua further alleged that Central Kenya is being sidelined in national politics, pointing to recent comments by a Western Kenya leader who reportedly vowed to prevent the region from regaining political power.
"Instead of those present criticising those comments, some leaders were clapping. When the President stood, he didn't say anything about it," he said.
Gachagua also claimed that certain leaders are actively campaigning to isolate the Mt. Kenya region.
"We are seeing leaders going around, telling Kenyans how people of the Mountain are bad. This is what is hurting us most," he added.
The former DP maintained that he refused to support the abductions of Gen Z protesters last year because they were simply voicing their frustrations.
"They were just saying things are not working well, and I couldn't support that," he said.
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