National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, at Nyamache grounds, Bobasi Constituency during the women empowering forum, July 25, 2025/HANDOUTNational Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks urging Kenyans abroad to stop sending money home, terming the comments as economically reckless and out of touch with reality.
Speaking on Friday during the launch of Shield Akumba Sacco and a women empowerment programme at Midika Sports Ground in Muhoroni Constituency, Kisumu County, Wetang’ula said diaspora remittances are a critical lifeline for many Kenyan families.
“I have seen someone going around telling Kenyans not to send money to Kenyans,” Wetang’ula said. “I want to remind him that no one is sending money to the government. They are sending money to their parents to either invest or build a house. This gentleman seems not to understand matters concerning the economy.”
He challenged Gachagua to return to the country and focus on engaging in politics constructively.
“We want to tell him to return home and continue laying political traps for your political opponents,” Wetang’ula added.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also weighed in on the matter, referencing Gachagua’s recent tour of the United States.
“Gachagua goes to the US, and instead of preaching the unity of our country, he spreads tribalism. He tells people in the US they belong to ethnic extractions instead of rallying Kenyans to unite for a common goal,” Wanga claimed.
She called for leaders to pursue national unity rather than promoting divisive rhetoric. “We will not follow anyone who is obsessed with tribalism instead of the unity of all Kenyans,” she added.
Wetang’ula further observed that while some regions of Kenya had long enjoyed fast-tracked development, others like Kisumu and the broader Western region are now benefiting from major government infrastructure projects under what he described as a broad-based administration.
“I also want to admit that other parts of the country have enjoyed development, but now with the broad-based government, we are witnessing huge projects being implemented in this part of the country,” he said. “All Kenyans deserve development regardless of their political or economic status.”
The Speaker also praised Kisumu residents for maintaining peace during previous protests, noting the city has set an example for peaceful civic expression.
“Since the demonstrations that we witnessed this year on two or three occasions, Kisumu County has been the most peaceful city in Kenya,” Wetang’ula said.
“I have told my MPs that going forward, we must differentiate between protests and violence; between demonstrations, picketing and rioting.”
