Korogocho MCA Questions Gachagua’s “Cousins” Claim, Cites Ukambani Neglect
Korogocho Member of County Assembly (MCA) Absolomon Odhiambo has challenged the sincerity of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent comments referring to the Kikuyu and Kamba communities as “cousins,” urging the Kamba people to scrutinize the political motives behind the statement.
Gachagua’s remarks, made during political rallies in the Ukambani and Coast regions, included the now-viral greeting “Hi Cousins!” as he championed unity among Bantu-speaking communities, declaring, “Sisi na Wakamba, Wataita, Wataveta, Mijikenda, we are one family. Sisi ni cousins.” The message was warmly received by sections of the crowd but has since sparked a national conversation online.
In a pointed response, MCA Odhiambo expressed doubt over both the timing and authenticity of Gachagua’s overture, suggesting it may be a calculated political move rather than a genuine gesture of kinship. He cited the historic underdevelopment of the Ukambani region as evidence of continued marginalization under past Kikuyu-led administrations.
“Mwai Kibaki was there for ten years, did they realize you are cousins? Uhuru Kenyatta then came for another ten years, did he ever know you are cousins? And even Uhuru’s father Jomo Kenyatta ruled for 15 years, did he recognize you as cousins?” Odhiambo questioned, pointing to what he described as decades of neglect.
He further characterized Gachagua’s comments as a “direct ridicule” and a “sign of disrespect” to the Kamba people, calling on them to reflect deeply before embracing such narratives.
The former Deputy President also addressed skepticism from political opponents, saying, “I saw you shouting that I’m clinging to Kalonzo. You even want to interfere in family matters,” a statement that added fuel to an already heated discourse on ethnic identity, historical inequalities, and political alliances.
Odhiambo’s remarks have added a critical perspective to the growing debate, prompting broader questions about the role of ethnic rhetoric in Kenyan politics and whether such messages can truly foster unity or merely serve short-term political agendas.
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