I made mistakes’: Gachagua apologises to Kieni locals

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has apologised to residents of Kieni Constituency over what he described as political mistakes he made during the 2022 General Election campaigns, saying he intends to correct them ahead of the next polls.

Gachagua said he had campaigned strongly for someone he now accuses of pursuing policies that undermine the empowerment of young people.

“During the 2022 campaigns, I made many mistakes which I must correct, and I will stop at nothing,” Gachagua said.

He criticised what he described as efforts to send young people abroad without equipping them with relevant digital skills, which he termed “modern-day slavery” and a form of backward brain drain.

He apologised to residents of Kieni, saying he was seeking their forgiveness and committing himself to making amends politically.

“I once again apologise to the people of Kieni and seek their forgiveness. I will do whatever it takes to join the people of Kieni and many other constituencies, and above all, Kenya’s presidency, in correcting this mistake in August next year,” he said.

Gachagua added that, in his view, the individual he referred to was not an isolated case, arguing that such leadership reflects a broader challenge within the country’s political class.

The remarks come amid shifting political alignments as leaders position themselves ahead of the next general election.

Gachagua has become an active political figure.

He now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).