Gachagua Compares Rival MPs to Gullible Hyenas in Fiery Speech, Promises to ‘Spill the Beans’

• Sep 14, 2024

In a charged speech delivered at the official opening of the Central Kenya Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show in Nyeri, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua used a traditional Kikuyu tale to criticize certain MPs, accusing them of greed and betrayal. Gachagua likened these MPs to hyenas being deceived by a cunning hare, drawing an analogy that resonated with his audience at the Kabiru-ini grounds.

In the story Gachagua referenced, a hyena and a hare agree to beat their wives as a show of dominance. While the hyena dutifully follows through, the hare only pretends, creating noise by beating drums to fool the hyena into thinking he has also kept his end of the bargain. Gachagua suggested that like the hyena in the tale, certain MPs were being misled and exploited, all for personal gain.

"Do you know our hyenas? Do you know them? Now, with everything happening, is there anything you don’t already know?" Gachagua asked the crowd, receiving enthusiastic applause.

The Deputy President went further, warning that when the right moment arrives, he would reveal more details about the alleged betrayal. "I may not know everything, but I am no fool. There are things I know, and when the time is right, I will speak," Gachagua said ominously, without providing specifics.

He accused these MPs of attempting to divide the region for their selfish interests, fueled solely by greed. His comments come amidst growing tensions between Gachagua’s supporters and those aligned with other political figures in the Mount Kenya region.

Some of Gachagua’s allies have directly pointed fingers at President William Ruto’s inner circle. Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru called for President Ruto to control his allies, implying that if unchecked, they could cost him support from the region. "If you see a dog nearby, know that the owner is not far. This message is for the dog’s owner: put a leash on your dog, or forget about us," Gathiru warned.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah was one of the targets of the criticism. Kirinyaga Senator James Murango questioned why certain leaders in Mount Kenya seemed to undermine Gachagua, who holds the highest office from the region. "Are we so foolish that we would leave one battle only to jump into another without consulting our people first?" Murango asked.

Gachagua’s remarks, along with those of his allies, have raised concerns about growing divisions within the political landscape of Mount Kenya. While Gachagua promised to reveal more in time, the tension between his camp and other political figures continues to simmer, leaving many wondering what the future holds for regional politics.