‘I never served in Molo!' Gachagua sets record straight on tenure as D.O under Moi

Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has brushed off claims from the opposition camp that he was combative and forceful during his tenure as District Officer (DO) under the late President Daniel arap Moi.

The Mathira MP refuted claims of ever serving in Molo, or the larger Nakuru County; an area that faced political conflict during the onset of multi-party general elections which left about 5,000 people dead and another 75,000 displaced.

While he acknowledged that he indeed served under Moi as DO, Gachagua however sought to set the record straight on the exact areas he worked, dismissing others as mere innuendos by political rivals to discredit him in Mt. Kenya.

“I want to put it on record…My file number at the Office of the President is PF 611592. I served in Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Laikipia, Garissa, Turkana, Kakamega and in the Office of the President in Nairobi. I have never served in Nakuru, leave alone Molo,” Gachagua said in an interview with the Nation.

“That story has been concocted by people who want to incite Mt Kenya residents against me. They want to show that I was in Molo during those troubled times. Some people want to poison the minds of Mt Kenya.”

Gachagua further told off those awakening the ghosts of his tenure and alleging that his administration was marked with tyranny and oppression; sentiments he claims as mere propaganda.

“I never appeared in the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (TJRC) report and have never been high-handed. Who says I was high-handed? Go to Limuru and ask residents,” he noted.

“I restored security in the area and locals are still happy with me. During my time in Kiambaa, I oversaw the demarcation of the Kiambaa-Kawaida ranch, Thindigua ranch and others. That is why John Njuguna Wanjiku won the by-election I campaigned for him.”

The legislator went ahead to defend his leadership under Moi saying it should not be used against him since all the country’s other top leaders also did the same.

He pointed out that his track record for the areas he was posted in speaks for itself and there is nothing to be apologetic about.

“Anyone who is somebody in this country today served under Moi. He was the president for 24 years. Where else would we have worked? Mwai Kibaki was Moi’s deputy for 10 years. Nobody talks about that; Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga, all served under Moi,” he explained.

“Some people have a problem with Gachagua, a small fellow whose influence was minimal. How can you have a problem with Gachagua serving Moi when Gideon Moi (President Moi’s son) is in Azimio la Umoja and nobody has an issue with that? Where did you want me to work?”

He added: “I am very happy with my record as a D.O. I have never appeared in any inquiry report. This is just propaganda. There is nothing wrong with having served under Moi.”