- Gachagua asked leaders to embrace servant leadership to the people saying they should not look down on Kenyans.
- He recounted events leading up to the 2022 general elections saying they made mistakes, realised it later and asked for forgiveness.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked leaders to give a listening ear to Kenyans who elected them.
Gachagua said that Kenyans have a say on what the leaders should do because they are the ones who elected them to various leadership offices.
DP urged the leaders to listen to the opinion of every Kenyan regardless of their status.
"Mimi naambia viongozi sikizeni ground na wanasema ati mimi nawatisha lakini nawaambia tu ukweli kwa sababu mimi ni mzee na ni kiongozi. Nawaambia hawa wasiposikiza ground watakosana na wale ambao wamewaandika kazi watawafukuza," he said.
(I want to tell you leaders to listen to Kenyans on the ground. When I speak the truth some say that I'm threatening them but I'm saying the truth because I'm a seasoned leader. If they don't listen to the people on the ground, they will fall out with them and get fired)
Gachagua was speaking on Sunday at the ACK St Patrick's Church in Kayole during the consecration service of the church.
He said that a good leader is one who listens to the people who elected them to understand how they want to be led.
"I want to encourage leaders in the country to please listen to the people," he reiterated.
Gachagua ephasised that he will continue being a truthful man by telling it as it is even as he acknowledged that some leaders in government have taken issue with his straightforwardness.
The DP added that his nature of being truthful has been taken in bad faith and painted him as a bad leader.
Gachagua, however, said that being truthful is the way to go for any leader in the country as things have changed over time.
"Kenyans are now woke, you can no longer cheat the people of Kenya. Kenyans are intelligent and they know everything. The internet has sharpened them more, they understand everything, and the time for cheating them is over," Gachagua said.
The DP said that he has aligned himself with Kenyans' expectation of desiring nothing short of honesty and truthfulness.
He urged leaders to listen to Kenyans, speak the truth and embrace forgiveness where they are found to have erred.
"Let us continue to accept mistakes and forgive each other. No one is an angel, we are all human beings with weaknesses that go with human beings. If you make a mistake along the way and you realise that you have made one, ask for forgiveness, correct that mistake and be a better person.
"You cannot insist on doing the wrong thing to be seen as a hero. When you find out you have made a mistake, accept it."
Gachagua recounted events leading up to the 2022 general elections saying they made mistakes, realised it later and asked for forgiveness.
The DP said that people who make mistakes and ask for forgiveness have a lighter heart.
He asked leaders to embrace servant leadership to the people saying they should not look down on Kenyans.
"These are the people who chose us and we must work for them. We should not threaten, harass or look down upon them. Let us exercise humility in leadership, let us listen to Kenyans with empathy."