Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday escalated his criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s handling of public assets, accusing unnamed government officials of orchestrating corruption-driven sales that undermine the public interest.
Speaking in Ruai, Kasarani Constituency, where he joined Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for a community engagement forum, Gachagua said Kenyans were “now aware and actively taking stock of all acts of misappropriation.”
“Public participation is enshrined in the Constitution as a fundamental pillar of democracy, fostering more informed and sustainable decision-making by incorporating diverse public input,” Gachagua told residents, framing transparency as non-negotiable in the management of state resources.
He warned that the “corruption-driven sale of our vital public assets is not only irresponsible on the part of the government but also a clear violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act,” a remark widely interpreted as a rebuke of recent state efforts to offload key infrastructure to private interests.
The Deputy President’s remarks come at a time when the government faces growing public scrutiny over the transfer of strategic assets through public-private partnerships. Opposition figures, civil society groups and even some insiders have questioned whether ongoing transactions, including those involving ports, energy projects and aviation facilities, follow the constitutional requirement for public participation.
Gachagua’s appearance alongside Kalonzo Musyoka — a leading figure in the Azimio coalition — signaled an unusual political realignment as the country edges closer to the 2027 general election. Both leaders have, in recent months, capitalized on public frustration over the rising cost of living, austerity, and alleged government opacity in major commercial deals.
For residents of Ruai, the gathering offered a rare moment where political rivals spoke in unison about the need to safeguard public wealth. Gachagua said leaders must “listen to the voices of ordinary Kenyans,” adding that the country’s resources “cannot be auctioned off in secrecy.”
Musyoka echoed the sentiment, urging Nairobi residents to defend constitutional safeguards meant to prevent the mismanagement of public assets.
While State House has defended its asset and investment strategy as necessary for economic recovery, the backlash — now fueled by the Deputy President himself — underscores widening fissures within the ruling coalition. As election season approaches, such fractures are likely to shape political alliances and determine the government’s ability to push through new economic reforms.
