Gachagua fires back at critics after his Ngemi Cia Ruraya performance: Go dance with your wife
By Faith Lagat, July 20, 2025Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at critics over his participation in the Ngemi Cia Ruraya cultural event in Worcester, Massachusetts, defending his actions as a celebration of tradition and diaspora unity.
Gachagua, who attended the event alongside his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, and PLP leader Martha Karua, dismissed claims that he was promoting tribalism during his recent U.S. visit.
Speaking candidly on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the former DP emphasised the importance of preserving cultural identity, especially among Kenyans living abroad.
Go dance with your wife
Responding to critics who questioned his participation in traditional dances with members of the Kikuyu diaspora, Gachagua made it clear he saw no wrongdoing.
“Traditionally, as the leader of the community, all women who are of marriage age are my wives. So if I dance with my wives, what is your problem? Go look for your wife and dance with her,” he said, triggering a wave of online reactions.
The Ngemi Cia Ruraya event featured performances by artists like Samidoh and celebrated Kikuyu songs from the 1960s. Gachagua praised the enthusiasm of the younger generation in reconnecting with their roots.
“When the song came in, young girls and boys were dancing with Musaimo, with Samidoh, to our songs of the 1960s,” he recalled, noting the joy of seeing cultural traditions thrive in the diaspora.
Gachagua argued that some of the backlash was driven by discomfort over the diaspora’s renewed sense of unity.
“You know, they thought you people in America did not care about your traditions, your culture—you have forgotten who you are,” he said. “They are so bitter because they have seen we are united.”
Countering tribalism claims
Gachagua also addressed criticism from political leaders like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who accused him of “exporting tribalism” to the United States.
“I heard Musalia accusing me of transporting tribalism to America, simply because I am talking to my people. Whom do they want me to talk to? Let him equally come and talk with his people,” he retorted.
“Pilipili usiyoila yakuwashia nini?” he added, using a Swahili proverb to dismiss his critics.
Gachagua maintained that his actions were about promoting cultural pride and fostering community ties, not creating division.
“If I come to Ngemi Cia Ruraya and I am dancing with my children, I see no problem,” he affirmed.
Diaspora’s economic power
Beyond cultural preservation, Gachagua highlighted the diaspora’s growing economic role in Kenya’s development. He pointed out that remittances from Kenyans living abroad have surpassed traditional exports like tea, coffee, and tourism in foreign exchange earnings.
“The current highest foreign exchange comes from diaspora remittances. This underscores the critical role our diaspora community plays in our nation’s economic growth,” he noted.
Gachagua said he held discussions with diaspora business leaders in Worcester and Boston to explore ways to improve their investment environment.
“It is clear that we must have serious conversations with our diaspora partners about how to enable them to contribute even more effectively to our country’s progress,” he concluded.