Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told off a section of leaders in the Kenya Kwanza government over their public utterances amid uproar over a hike in fuel prices.

In a statement upon his return from an official visit to Colombia on Sunday, September 17, Gachagua accused the leaders of arrogance and lack of empathy in addressing concerns from aggrieved Kenyans.

The country’s second in command emphasized the importance of sensitivity in addressing the economic challenges faced by Kenyans due to the global increase in fuel prices.

He called on leaders, particularly those appointed by President William Ruto, to remember that they are employees of the people of Kenya, indirectly hired through the democratic process.

“You do not address your employer with arrogance. Do so with humility and decorum,” Gachagua stated.

He stressed that Kenyan citizens are experiencing difficult economic times, and it is the responsibility of leaders to inspire hope and provide solutions.

“Talking down on the people and demoralizing those who look up to them for solutions and a way out of the difficult situation they find themselves in is not good leadership,” Gachagua noted.

He also reassured the public that the government is aware of the challenges Kenyans are facing and that the arrogant statements made by a few leaders do not represent the official government position or that of President Ruto.

Gachagua concluded by conveying President Ruto’s commitment to finding lasting and sustainable solutions to the economic challenges facing Kenya.

Kuria slams Kenyans over fuel price complaints

Gachagua’s remarks came in the wake of criticism from Trade CS Moses Kuria, who had urged Kenyans to source their own fuel and cautioned against anti-government protests as a means to address the high cost of living.

“Na watu siku hizi wanaongea kuhusu kuteremsha bei ya gharama ya maisha, bei ya gharama ya maisha haiwezi kuteremshwa kwa maandamano. Sasa naona wengine wanashinda kwa Twitter kutoka asubuhi mpaka jioni gharama ya maisha, si hio ni upumbavu?

“Kushinda kwa Twitter kutoka asubuhi mpaka jioni itakusaidia namna gani? Jameni vijana msiingie katika hio life, sasa ukieka sufuria kwa kichwa kutoka asubuhi mpaka jioni ati bei ya mafuta imeongezeka si uchimbe kisima yako. Dunia mzima tunajua bei ya crude oil imeenda juu,” he stated.

Loosely translated, “Nowadays people speak about lowering the cost of living, the cost of living cannot be lowered through anti-government protests. I’m now seeing some camping on Twitter from morning to evening lamenting about the cost of living, isn’t that stupidity?

“How will camping on Twitter from morning to evening help you? I’m asking the youths not to be into that life, if you keep lamenting about the fuel prices why not drill your own borehole Crude oil has increased in prices worldwide.”

“Sisi kwetu Ruiru tutaendelea kufanya kazi kwa bidii (At our home in Ruiru, we will continue working hard)” he added.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir also rubbed Kenyans the wrong way when he claimed that there was nothing the government could do about the rise in fuel prices.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Energy Committee on Friday, Chirchir cited global factors as a significant contributor to the soaring fuel prices.

“We are dealing with sovereign governments as suppliers of these products. We are likely going to harder times. There is nothing much we can do about it,” Chirchir stated.

Ndii doesn’t trust the government

David Ndii, Chairperson of President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, also angered Kenyans when he told them to brace themselves for tougher times ahead.

“This expectation that Kenya can abuse credit for a decade and the same people can make consequences go away painlessly just because there was a game of musical chairs we call elections? Are we sober? I told you two years ago Kenya was in receivership. Nothing has changed,” Ndii said in a post on X, formally Twitter, moments after fuel prices in the country crossed the Ksh200 mark.

In a surprise turn of events, Ndii also said he doesn’t trust the government.

Ndii was responding to Kenyans who questioned the government’s economic blueprint.

“Is the Economic advisor telling Kenyans shouldn’t believe anything the President and his Deputy say? Is that official?” A user using the handle @Muhsin Ali posed.

Responding to the concerned netizen, Ndii flatly said, “I don’t believe politicians, and I don’t trust government. If you do either you are a sucker.”