A political debate has emerged following former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks targeting French President Emmanuel Macron, with lawyer Wahome Thuku questioning the tone and relevance of the statement.
Gachagua had on May 12 linked Macron to the controversial Sh7 billion payout tied to the cancelled Rironi–Mau Summit road project.
He described the French leader as an “accomplice” and suggested his visit to Nairobi during the Africa Forward Summit was influenced by the dispute.
Responding to the remarks, Thuku said Gachagua had ventured into complex foreign policy matters without the required diplomatic grounding.
“I think Riggy G should keep the opposition politics at the local level. He sounds out of place when addressing foreign content and international relations,” Thuku said.
He argued that the message directed at Macron would have carried more weight if it had been delivered by a leader with diplomatic experience, pointing to Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“For example, the address to the French President would have sounded more serious and had substance if the statement was read by Kalonzo Musyoka due to his exposure to foreign affairs. Emmanuel Macron would have understood better what Kalonzo would be saying,” he added.
Thuku also dismissed the impact of the statement, saying it was unlikely to have attracted attention from the French leader.
“I am sure he didn’t even give a thought to the statement addressed to him,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks came at a time when Kenya and France were strengthening bilateral ties. During the summit, President William Ruto and Macron oversaw the signing of multiple agreements worth billions of shillings, including key infrastructure and port development deals.
Thuku contrasted Gachagua’s approach with that of other Kenyan leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, whom he said conduct structured diplomatic engagements during their visits abroad.
“It’s for the same reason why, when Kalonzo and Dr Fred Matiang’i are in the USA, they meet American authorities and institutions in more diplomatic appearances,” he said.
He also criticised Gachagua’s style of engagement during international trips, claiming it lacks formality.
“When Gachagua is in the US, he simply meets so-called Kikuyu itungati in Mugithi and bonfire gatherings,” Thuku said.
The lawyer called for clarity of roles within opposition ranks, urging Gachagua to focus on local political mobilisation.
“Kila mtu acheze role yake. Gachagua’s assignment should be to handle local political issues,” he said.