‘I Was Vindicated And Won! – Gachagua Says Praising High Court Ruling
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made another public appearance on Sunday, this time at a church in Kahawa West, flanked by devoted followers.
The former deputy president applauded the judiciary for its recent decision requiring the government to compensate victims of forced evictions in several Nairobi slums.
The authorities evacuated people from the Mathare, Gwa Kairu, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, and Kiamaiko slums owing to the fear of flood.
Justice Ann Mogeni of the High Court ruled on Monday, November 4, that the residents displaced by the evictions should be reimbursed by the government for their losses.
Victory for the rights of Mathare, Gwa Kairu, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, and Kiamaiko residents! The court declares eviction without notice a violation of dignity and fundamental rights. Ordered fair compensation and 120 days to assess losses. pic.twitter.com/brrVn5Fr6E
— The Odira Odira (@OdiraTeddy) November 5, 2024
The judge also determined that the government was aware of these settlements but opted to forcibly evict the residents, calling the evictions inhumane.
“I saw the courts ruled those people whose houses were demolished to be paid which means I was vindicated and won,” he stated.
Gachagua revealed that one of the offenses put against him during his impeachment motion was that he opposed the government’s demolition of people’s homes without proper recompense, for which he pleaded guilty during his trial.
“I was happy with the courts because they ruled the government to compensate victims of evictions and demolitions,” he averred.
Gachagua declined to lead the demolitions because it was inconsistent with the pledges he and President Ruto made to the people during the 2022 elections.
“President William Ruto and I told people that there will be no day their houses will be demolished without finding a place for them,” he said emphasising that there was no way he would renege on his words.
When they took over the government and asked Gachagua to lead the eviction operations, he refused because he was a person of justice and truth.
“How would I go and lead the demolitions when I was the one who said we will not demolish their houses?” he wondered emphasizing it would amount to betrayal to the citizens of the country.
Gachagua advised his supporters to continue remaining silent. “We are not fools, it is peace that we love,” he stated.
ALSO READ:
- Autopsy Report Reveals Dr Obwaka’s Cause of Death
- Gov’t Explains Why Some Civil Servants Are Yet To Be Paid, Cites ‘Payroll Mix-up’
- Sifuna Explains Why He Skipped ODM’s Coast Meetings
- Tanzania’s Suluhu Says Oil Refinery Never Approved, Questions Ruto
- Over 150K Learners Fail To Complete JSS As Stakeholder Put Pressure On CS Ogamba
“As a responsible leader, I would not want to speak utterances that would put our people in trouble. I want our people to stay in peace wherever they are.”
He also urged Generation Z to obtain their Identification Cards (IDs) so that they can vote in the 2027 general election. Gachagua also stated that he has gained wisdom and will be more cautious when choosing friends, particularly in politics.
He urged congregations to support officials who opposed his impeachment while denouncing those who supported it.
“We were shocked that people can even sell their mother if the price is right,” he criticized.
‘I Was Vindicated And Won! – Gachagua Says Praising High Court Ruling
