Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at Mwiki PCEA Church Service on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked government officials to be tolerant of divergent opinions saying there is no need to lecture Kenyans for speaking what he termed as the truth.
Gachagua speaking at a PCEA church service in Mwiki, Kasarani, said Kenyans have the right to speak their mind on issues affecting the economy and the country at large.
The former DP said the government must pay attention to the views expressed by Kenyans and align accordingly instead of lashing out at the very Kenyans.
“I want to ask our leaders to be tolerant of divergent opinions. If Kenyans say things are not okay, stop lecturing them. They are the ones who employed you,” he said.
The comments by the DP came after a section of Government officials led by President William Ruto implored Kenyans to love their country and exercise constraints when criticizing it.
Similar remarks were made by Mining CS Hassan Joho who urged Kenyans to be patriotic by demonstrating support to government projects and programs.
Speaking in Kilifi on Thursday, Joho said it is time Kenyans begin to embrace positivity for the good of the nation.
“I was with the president in New York and in one of the meetings where I was trying to sell the Blue Economy space, 90 per cent of the questions that were being asked were informed from some space in social media and we could not really answer, Joho said.
“We are only asking, let us be responsible it is our country we cannot have another Kenya. One year wasted is far too long for the future generation.”
But in an apparent rejoinder to the comments, Gachagua said it is the leaders who should listen to the people because they are the bosses.
The Former DP said government officials should not be annoyed when their bosses express themselves.
“Why are you annoyed? Don’t get annoyed when you are told things are not working. If your boss tells you things are not okay you don’t get annoyed," he said.
The DP at the same time defended the Church saying it is the only liberal voice that can help Kenyans.
He reiterated that the Church's voice represents that of the people as religious leaders interact with ordinary citizens daily.
As such, he said the church is abreast with challenges facing common citizens.
“The voice of the church is the voice of God. If the Church
is saying there is a problem, these religious leaders are the ones who spend a
lot of time with the ordinary citizens. Before the problems facing citizens get
to us as leaders, it is the religious leaders who get them first-hand,” he
said.
“If they say the economy is not okay, it is the truth, if
they say the SHIF and SHA has issues, that is the truth. If they say they don't
want the housing program that is the truth. Let us stop censuring our religious
leaders.”
