State visit: Five things ‘Mau Mau son’ Riggy G missed during King Charles first day
Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua often goes on record claiming he is the son of a colonial Mau Mau fighter.
However, he was once put on the spot by opposition leader Raila Odinga to prove that he was related to a Mau Mau fighter and not just issuing statements to gain political mileage in the Mount Kenya region.
On the other hand, Mau Mau war veterans stood by DP Gachagua, stating that they investigated his claims and found that his mother had indeed been a Mau Mau member.
His relationship with Mau Mau fighters especially came to the attention of many considering his absence in Kenya when British monarchs King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived on October 31, 2023, for a four-day state visit, and Mau Mau fighters and their keen demanding an apology from the monarchs for the colonial atrocities committed by the British in Kenya from 1920-1963.
Nairobi News now takes a look at the five things DP Gachagua, the supposed son of Mau Mau, missed out on while he was on official duty in Europe:
- DP Gachagua missed King Charles’ near apology for colonial atrocities – At the State House banquet, the King addressed the wrongdoings of Britain’s colonial era, expressing his greatest sorrow and regret, adding that there was no excuse. But at the end of the day, he did not issue a formal apology as had been expected by human rights organizations and the Mau Mau fraternity. However, DP Gachagua’s boss, President William Ruto, ended up applauding the King for addressing uncomfortable truths, adding that much still needed to be done to achieve full reparations.
- DP Gachagua missed out on an elaborate 8-course meal served at the State House banquet in honor of the King and Queen- Known for his penchant for enjoying food, going to the extent of inviting supporters to enjoy rice and beef at State House Sagana in August 2023, DP Gachagua missed out on an opportunity to sample great dishes with British undertones he could have served at his next “meet the supporters” chaotic luncheon at Sagana.
- DP Gachagua missed out on Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi “being the acting deputy president”- Conversations swirling around social circles are that PCS Mudavadi exuded the aura of a deputy president, much more than could be expected of DP Gachagua who has often been caught flat footed blurting out the wrong sentiments at the wrong time. From welcoming the King and the Queen to the country after receiving them at the airport to shining at the State Banquet, a section of Kenyans felt that DP Gachagua had intentionally been sent abroad on official duty for ‘reasons unknown’ and this opened the door for the son of Mudamba- PCS Mudavadi- to assume the role and make State House shine in the general scheme of things.
- DP Gachagua missed out on President William Ruto hitting out at kingpin conversations- DP Gachagua has been at the forefront of conversations on the installation of the next Mount Kenya political kingpin following former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s exit from active politics. During his state banquet speech, President Ruto said all contests about kingpins had been suspended because King Charles was in the country. It is also keen to note that the contests are temporarily suspended because DP Gachagua was also not in the country at the same time. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I did inform His Majesty earlier that in Kenya, there is the concept called kingpin and there is a vicious contest for kingpins in different regions around Kenya which amounts to not so much. But this week, all contests about kingpins have been suspended because the King himself is in town,” said President Ruto.
- DP Gachagua missed out on opposition leader Raila Odinga attending the State Banquet and meeting King Charles III. DP Gachagua has never missed out on ruffling the feathers of Mr Odinga following his loss in the presidential election. He has often mocked the opposition leader, vowing he would never allow him to come near the seat of power or President Ruto. However, in his absence, President Ruto ensured Raila Odinga attended the event, and had his time with the King and the captured moments went viral on social media. This earned both leaders praise- President Ruto for putting politics aside, and Raila Odinga for rising above the fray to put his and Kenya’s best foot forward in the face of international media covering the monarchs’ visit. We are sure this did not please DP Gachagua in the least.
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