‘You are my brother by blood, not by choice,’ Kindiki tells Gachagua
‘You are my brother by blood, not by choice,’ Kindiki tells Gachagua
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has responded to remarks by his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua over how he should address him, saying he will continue referring to the former Deputy President as his brother.
The exchange follows remarks made by Gachagua on August 9, when he objected to Kindiki referring to him as his brother and questioned the Deputy President’s show of respect, citing events surrounding his departure from office.
Kindiki said his decision to call Gachagua “ndugu yangu” was not motivated by fear or affection, but by the shared heritage of the Kikuyu, Meru, Embu and Mbeere communities.
The Deputy President said elders from the communities had reminded him that the communities were one and that, in his view, Gachagua was his brother by blood rather than by political choice.
“Wewe umesema vizuri nisikuite ndugu yangu. I want to tell you, Rigathi, it is not upon you to tell me how I should call you. It is not your business; it is my business,” Kindiki said.
He added: “Sikuiti ndugu yangu kwa sababu nakupenda, sio kwa sababu nakuogopa. Nakuita ndugu yangu kwa sababu wazee wa jamii yetu ya Kikuyu, Meru, Embu na Mbeere waliniambia jamii yetu ni moja.”
Kindiki said political differences or personal disagreements could not define the relationship between the communities.
“Kwa hivyo wewe ni ndugu yangu by blood, not by choice,” he said.
He was speaking on Saturday during the Mt Kenya East Elders Solemn Assembly at Nembure in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County.
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The meeting was convened by elders from the Njuri Ncheke, Nyangi Ndiriri, Ngome, Kiama kia Muembu and Kiama kia Ma councils representing communities from Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Mwea.
Kindiki said he had honoured the summons by the elders as part of efforts to promote unity within the region and the country.
“I have honoured the summons by Mt Kenya East Council of Elders comprising Njuri Ncheke, Nyangi Ndiriri, Ngome, Kiama kia Muembu and Kiama kia Ma from Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Mwea,” he said.
The Deputy President said the elders had resolved to promote community and national unity while defending Kenya’s national interests.
“We have resolved to advance the promotion of community and national unity, defend Kenya’s national interest and support all interventions that anchor Kenya’s development into the future,” he said.
More than 30,000 elders attended the solemn assembly, according to the organisers.
Kindiki said the elders had also resolved to reject divisive politics and support leadership that embraces diversity and inclusion.
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