Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked public debate after making remarks about the Luo community, suggesting that it is easy to mislead them by promising a fast and glamorous lifestyle. Speaking at a political gathering, Gachagua used Singapore as an example, saying, “Wajaluo wakisikia Singapore wanasema hiyo sasa ndiyo inabamba,” a statement that quickly drew mixed reactions across the country.
According to Gachagua, some political leaders exploit aspirations for rapid development and modern lifestyles to gain support, particularly during campaign periods. He argued that flashy promises and comparisons to developed nations are often used to attract crowds, even when such pledges lack clear implementation plans.
However, his comments were met with sharp criticism from leaders, analysts, and members of the public, who accused him of unfairly stereotyping the Luo community. Critics argued that the remarks reduce a diverse and politically conscious community to a single narrative and risk deepening ethnic divisions in the country. Many pointed out that development aspirations are shared by all Kenyans, regardless of ethnicity.
Supporters of Gachagua defended him, saying his statement was taken out of context and that he was merely criticizing deceptive political rhetoric rather than attacking a specific community. They maintained that his message was about encouraging voters to critically examine political promises instead of being swayed by comparisons to global success stories.
The incident has once again highlighted the sensitivity of ethnic discourse in Kenyan politics. As the country moves forward, observers continue to call for responsible leadership, urging politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns that unite rather than divide communities.
