Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the government to stop what he describes as a targeted purge on his allies in the National Assembly committees. Speaking during a church service at ACK Holy Trinity Kitengela Church in Kajiado County on Sunday, Gachagua criticized the government for removing leaders who were instrumental in campaigning for the Kenya Kwanza administration during the last elections.
Gachagua termed the removals unfair, emphasizing that those affected had been at the forefront in rallying support for the current regime. He expressed surprise that some leaders from the Mount Kenya region were backing these changes, despite the affected individuals being their political allies.
His remarks come days after Parliament implemented changes targeting chairpersons and members of departmental committees allied to Gachagua. The reshuffle saw some of his close allies either removed from leadership positions or reassigned to less influential committees.
A revised list of committee members published by the leadership of both the majority and minority sides shows that while some MPs retained their positions, several key seats were made vacant. Among those affected is Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, who was moved from the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to the Broadcasting Committee. Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba was also removed as chairperson of the Labour Committee and reassigned to the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), where he was joined by Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, nominated MP Teresiah Wanjiru, and Manyatta MP John Mukunji.
Embakasi North MP John Gakuya, previously the chairperson of the Trade Committee, was transferred to the Broadcasting Committee, while Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was removed from her vice chairperson position in the Lands Committee and moved to the Members Services and Facilities Committee.
Beyond the political reshuffle, Gachagua also voiced concerns over other pressing national issues. He criticized the government for prioritizing secondary needs, such as the affordable housing project, over basic necessities like water and roads. Additionally, he condemned the rising cases of abductions, citing Kitengela as a hotspot, where three young men were recently found dead after being kidnapped by unknown assailants.
The former DP’s remarks signal increasing political tensions within the ruling coalition, as he continues to push back against perceived marginalization of his allies in government structures.
