By Bonface Mulyungi

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has come out in defence of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he has the democratic right to speak on national issues despite his retirement.

Gachagua, who attended the funeral service of Full Gospel Church General Overseer Bishop David Macharia’s wife, Reverend Catherine Macharia, in Nakuru County on Tuesday, also called out Kenya Kwanza leaders, whom he accused of beating drums of war through reckless tribal statements targeting communities.

He mounted a spirited defence for Kenyatta, who has come under a barrage of attacks from Kenya Kwanza troops, a day after he called out the government for engaging in blame games instead of working.

“Wachana na Uhuru Kenyatta. Alipeana serikali kwa amani. Ni Uhuru anafanya serikali isifanye kazi? Uhuru ndio anafanya SHA isifanye? Uhuru ndiye aliuwa Gen Zs?” Gachagua posed.

The DCP party leader told President Ruto to stop diverting attention from key issues.

“Don’t blame Uhuru Kenyatta for your failures. Leave Uhuru Kenyatta to be. He is retired but not tired,” said Gachagua.

Gachagua warned politicians against driving the country to the cliff through inflammatory remarks.

“We don’t want what happened in 2007 to repeat. We don’t want the drums of war. Hatutaki jamii yoyote itishwe. This is your home and you have no other home. Mtu asiuziwe uoga. Waache kuprofile a community,” he said.

The former DP warned those claiming there is a plot to rig the 2027 elections, saying, “Mtaiba kura tukiwa wapi? Hii si Uganda. Hii si Tanzania. Don’t threaten people. Those are empty debes.”

Gachagua also called for speedy investigations into the deaths of several clergymen, including PCEA Reverend Julius Ngari Ndumia and Catholic priest Father John Ndegwa Maina.

“Three weeks ago, Rev. Ndumia of PCEA Church was killed but his killers were set free… If the President is not safe, who is safe?” he posed.

Catherine will be laid to rest on Wednesday at her home in Sugonoi, Nakuru County.

This comes as the DCP candidate in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Sammy Kamau Waweru, presented his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices in preparation for a grueling contest with UDA in mid-July.