Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has responded sharply to remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who said the Sh4 billion allocated to address drought in northern Kenya is too little.
In a message posted on X on Wednesday, Kindiki accused Gachagua of lacking moral authority to comment on drought mitigation. Without naming him directly, Kindiki claimed Gachagua was once dismissed from public service over alleged misuse of drought relief food.
“You were sacked as a District Officer for stealing food meant for drought relief. You have no moral authority to lecture anyone on drought mitigation,” Kindiki wrote.
Gachagua had earlier criticised the government’s drought response, saying the Sh4 billion announced by the Cabinet would not meet the needs of more than 3.3 million people facing food and water shortages in northern Kenya.
Speaking to the media at his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) offices in Nairobi on February 10, 2026, Gachagua urged President William Ruto to declare the drought a national disaster, noting that at least 10 counties were already in critical condition.
He said the Sh4.1 billion monthly budget approved by Cabinet falls below United Nations standards for humanitarian support.
“This translates to about Sh1,200 per person, which is far below the minimum UN food basket valued at Sh2,700,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president also accused the government of waste and misuse of public resources during the drought period. He claimed the Office of the Deputy President recently spent Sh300 million on helicopter travel and alleged that relief supplies were being diverted for political campaigns.
“I found trucks of blankets, maize and beans in Nyandarua County being used for campaigns. These supplies should be taken to northern Kenya,” he said.
Gachagua renewed his call for President Ruto to formally declare the drought a national disaster, saying urgent action was needed to save lives.
He also criticised the President and leaders from North Eastern Kenya, accusing them of failing to address the crisis. Gachagua claimed State House had been turned into a ruling party campaign centre.
“State House is no longer a national institution serving all Kenyans. It has become a UDA headquarters for elections,” he said.
President Ruto on Wednesday began a three-day tour of northern Kenya, where drought has severely affected livelihoods.
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