Light moment as DP Gachagua avoids English in Nyanza for fear of 'embarrassing' himself

A light moment was on Saturday witnessed during the thanksgiving ceremony of Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo in Homa Bay County after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua avoided addressing the congregation in English for fear of “embarrassing” himself.

Gachagua, in his usual comical manner, treated the crowd to raucous laughter as he lightly teased how residents of Luo Nyanza region have admirable grasp of the English language.

The DP, in his introductory speech, kicked off by correcting Ugenya Member of Parliament David Ochieng’ who had addressed him with the title ‘Dr.’

He humorously checked MP Ochieng’, clarifying that his academic level has not yet earned him the title of ‘Dr,’ like his boss President Dr. William Ruto and Interior PS Dr. Omollo.

He however exuded confidence that he was aware of the intellect and masterly of the Queen’s language by the Luo community, and hence a simple man as himself could easily humiliate themselves if they attempted to catch up.

He hence excused himself saying he would address the congregation in Kiswahili, causing laughter, even as he switched back to English every so often during the course of his speech.

“Mheshimiwa Ochieng’ amesema mimi ni Doctor, na mnajua mimi ni mtu wa kusema ukweli. Unajua Ochieng’ ananiona nikikaa karibu na Dr. William Ruto na Dr. Raymond Omollo, anafikiria mimi pia nimekuwa doctor. Kusema ukweli, masomo yangu iko chini kidogo,” he stated, amid chuckles.

“Ata kama sijasoma, najua ninaelewa mambo mingi…niko na network kidogo. Ukija area hii, kama hujui kiingereza vizuri, ongea Kiswahili. The place to test your English command is here.”

Gachagua added: “Ndio maana unaona kina Prof. Kindiki wanaongea…wacha mimi nikae hapo kwa Kiswahili kwa sababu ninaweza kujipata kwa matatizo.”

In the same light, the DP joked that Dr. Omollo had been troubling him by “speaking a lot of English”, and thus urged the people of Nyanza to inform the Interior PS that Gachagua is only but a “common” man.

“Nataka kuomba kanisa na hawa watu wenu, muongeleshe huyu rafiki yenu sababu kuna mahali ananiangaisha. Ningetaka mumuambie kwamba huyu Riggy G ni mtu wa kawaida, ukienda kwa ofisi yake punguza kiingereza,” Gachagua said as the congregation burst into more laughter.