Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during an Empowerment event for small-scale traders at Ndurarua Primary School grounds in Kabete Constituency, Kiambu County, on May 25, 2025 /DPCS
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said that his
predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, should stop lecturing everyone after he called for
a boycott of Mt Kenya artists he hosted in Karen.
Speaking on Sunday, Kindiki said Gachagua must be
respectful, insisting that respect is also earned.
“How can you lecture us? Are you God? Who are you? You
lecture musicians, politicians and everyone, everywhere. Don’t lecture us, we
are not your kids, go give lectures in your house,” he said.
“You must respect us because respect is earned and is
two-way. When you look at me, am I to be scared of people? Let’s respect each
other.”
The DP spoke on Sunday during an Empowerment event for
small-scale traders at Ndurarua Primary School grounds in Kabete Constituency,
Kiambu County.
He went on to say that the artists Gachagua was complaining
about were only 50, and he now plans to host ten times the number.
Kindiki noted that as a leader and current holder of the
office of DP, he was entitled to meet everyone, including musicians and
creatives from any part of the country.
“Musicians who came were only 50. I will organise another
meeting of 500 musicians to come to Karen and see what you will do. We are keen
to assist them as they have been exploited by cartels for a long time,” he
said.
“You ordered the people not to listen to their songs, as who?
I am a man of respect, but if you come within shooting range, we will deal with
you.”
The Deputy President slammed Gachagua for perpetrating
divisive and regressive rhetoric that is undermining the country’s
development and advancement.
He said it is not right for his predecessor to keep dragging
Mt Kenya region into murky, pointless politics and lecturing everyone for not
toeing his line.
On Sunday, Gachagua called on musicians from the Mt Kenya
region who visited Kindiki at his Karen residence to apologise to the
community.
Speaking at AIPCA Kihoya in Murang’a County, Gachagua stated
that these artists are traitors to the community.
“Our artists and musicians have become traitors to the
community. They were told to come and lie to you that SHA is working, roads are
being built, and the education sector is doing well,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua noted that after discussions with Mt Kenya
elders, they demand that the artists apologise to the community.
The former DP said that should they fail to, the community
should stop listening to their music and entertainment joints should stop
inviting them to perform.
He further directed the people to unfollow those who will
not apologise on social media platforms.
“I sat with elders yesterday and they told me to announce
that those artists must apologise and if they don’t, we will stop listening to
their music,” he said.
On Friday, the DP met leading musicians from Mt. Kenya at the Official Residence in Karen for consultations and to find ways to solve perennial issues, including low earnings and exploitation in the sector.
“The government will promote talents among Kenyans and
safeguard those who are talented against the cartels out to exploit them. We
will ensure that musicians get returns that are commensurate with their talent
and effort,” he indicated.
