Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has expressed his admiration for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s approach to leadership, saying that while he disagrees with him on several issues, he respects his commitment to listening to the public.
Speaking in the Senate, Khalwale said he struggles to align with Gachagua because of what he termed a tribal outlook. However, he acknowledged Gachagua’s insistence on paying attention to the views of ordinary citizens.
The Senator reminded colleagues of the 2024 Finance Bill protests when Parliament ignored concerns raised by young people, leading to demonstrations that culminated in the storming of both the National Assembly and Senate chambers.
He criticized lawmakers for failing to consider public opinion during that period, warning that Parliament risks repeating the same mistake if it continues to disregard voices from the grassroots level on important legislative matters.
Khalwale said that although he rarely agrees with Gachagua, especially on tribal politics, he believes the former Deputy President is correct in consistently urging leaders to listen to the people before making decisions.
Rigathi Gachagua has popularized the slogan “Skiza Ground,” a phrase his Democratic Change Party (DCP) adopted, accompanied by a logo depicting a hand cupping an ear, symbolizing attentiveness to citizen voices and grassroots concerns.
Gachagua recently announced his intention to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 elections, arguing that his decision was informed by feedback from ordinary Kenyans who encouraged him to offer himself as an alternative leader.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has previously disputed Gachagua’s ownership of the “Skiza Ground” phrase, claiming she first used it in 2022 when deciding which political camp to join, before eventually siding with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Waiguru even reminded Gachagua directly that she coined the phrase during the campaigns. Nevertheless, the slogan has since become closely linked with Gachagua’s political identity, strengthening his reputation as a leader keen on listening to Kenyans.
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