Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has slammed outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta”s administration for intimidating them over the last five years, promising Kenyans that the incoming administration will tolerate criticism.
Speaking at the inauguration of President William Ruto as the fifth President, Mr Gachagua declared that the country was now free, promising that they would guide the country without going after their opponents and critics.
“Today, I want to tell the people of Kenya that you are finally free. Public servants and all people of Kenya you don’t have to fear talking through WhatsApp for fear of being recorded,” he said.
“I want to give a word on behalf of our President, that you are free to criticise his government without fear of reprisal,” he added.
Mr Gachagua also pledged loyalty to Dr Ruto, saying that “he will serve with loyalty and dedication.”
“I am behind you. We shall be available and will try to keep up with the pace. I am stepping into shoes that are almost impossible to fill. We will fix this economy and create a good working environment where Kenyans can work and businessmen are not harassed by KRA,” he said.
“Let us be patient with him, and to give us a chance to try and get things going,” he added.
Uhuru’s administration, he said, had left a country with a bloated economy that President William Ruto’s administration would struggle to revive.
“The truth of the matter is that we have inherited a dilapidated economy which almost facing shut down. we have a huge task to liberate this country and bring it back to where Kibaki left it,” he stated.
He, however, asked Kenyans not to put his performance on a pedestal nor compare Ruto’s first term performance under Uhuru’s government.
“I know I am getting in shoes that are almost impossible to fill. The performance of Ruto in his first term when he was allowed to serve the people of Kenya was on another level,” he explained.
