Kindiki to Gachagua: Who are you to lecture me?

By Newsflash Reporter

Hours after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on the Mt Kenya region to boycott musicians who had accepted an invitation from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the latter responded with a scathing rebuttal.

Kindiki, who was presiding over an Economic Empowerment Program in Ndurarua, Kabete, in Kiambu County, did not hold back in his remarks.

Gachagua had accused the artists of betraying the Mt Kenya community by aligning themselves with Kindiki, and he called for a total boycott of their work — from attending their shows to unfollowing them on social media. He demanded that they apologize to the community for what he termed as betrayal.

“Shun all those artists for betraying the community. Don’t attend their gigs in the joints they are invited to perform. Boycott those joints and attend elsewhere. Unfollow them in their social media pages,” Gachagua had said. “They should apologize!” he added emphatically.

‘Respect is two-way traffic’

In a strongly worded response, Kindiki dismissed Gachagua’s statements and questioned his authority to issue such directives.

“Why should we not uplift our musicians?” Kindiki asked, rhetorically defending the artists who had visited him. “I will quickly embrace that work. Those people [Gachagua] talking elsewhere do not know me well. I will perform the tasks of the Deputy President perfectly like a driver cruising a miraa car.”

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and a host of MPs at Kabete, Kiambu on 26 May, 2025. Photo/DPCS

Taking a swipe at Gachagua’s perceived overreach, Kindiki added, “We have seen some overzealous people lecturing us. Who are you to lecture us? Are you God?”

The Deputy President further accused Gachagua of disrespecting others in leadership, including musicians and fellow politicians.

“You are lecturing everyone! You are lecturing musicians, politicians…are you God?” he posed.

Kindiki reminded Gachagua that respect is mutual and should go both ways.

“Respect is two-way traffic. Respect us so that we can respect you! If you don’t respect us, we shall deal with you, my friend,” he said. “If you look at me, am I a person to be lectured by people? Let’s respect each other!”

More support for musicians

Kindiki appeared undeterred by the criticism and declared his intention to intensify his engagement with the artistic community.

“Fifty musicians came to visit me, now I will invite 500 musicians to come and visit me at Karen. We shall see what we shall do,” he said, signaling his readiness to expand his outreach.

Challenging Gachagua’s call to boycott the musicians’ work, Kindiki questioned, “Whom are you to direct the public not to listen to their songs? Whom are you to issue such a directive?”

Kindiki also issued a veiled warning to those threatening or attempting to intimidate others.

“If you come within shooting range, I will deal with you,” he warned. “If you see them, tell them to look for people to threaten. We are not small people.”

In closing, he emphasized his firmness in leadership. “We may be slow and calm, but we are not pushovers!”

Kindiki’s remarks were made in the presence of National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and several MPs from Kiambu County, signaling a show of support from key Mt Kenya leaders.

The fiery exchange between the two leaders marks an escalation in the simmering political tensions within the Mt Kenya region. As both leaders seek to consolidate influence, observers believe the battle for the region’s political soul is far from over.