Gladys Shollei Brought Me Tea, Lunch When I Was Arrested- Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, October 8 responded to earlier remarks by Uasin Gishu Women Representative Gladys Shollei accusing him of treason following his controversial remarks about potential violence should he be removed from office.

While defending himself before the National Assembly, Gachagua appeared to haunt Shollei by narrating how the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly came through for him in his hour of need.

The second in command recalled his arrest by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers during the regime of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in what he termed as politically influenced, and that it was Shollei who cared for him at DCI headquarters.

“I remember during the last administration when I was arrested on fabricated charges for standing with President William Ruto against the wish of the government at that time. Gladys Shollei came and sat with me at DCI HQ, brought me tea, lunch, sat with me, comforted me,” he revealed.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at State House, Nairobi, on July 19, 2024. /PCS

According to Gachagua, Shollei was with him until the very end and even mobilised the raising of his cash bail to secure his release. 

He affirmed that he had no bad blood against Shollei based on how much good she did towards him, despite Shollei previously declaring that she was in support of Gachagua’s impeachment motion.

“At court, she coordinated the collection of 12.5 million shillings as my cash bail. She came to see me in Gigiri for 4 days and had very kind words for me. Despite what you have said my sister, I do remember that one good thing you did for me, I love you and cherish you,” he added.

Earlier, Shollei’s accusations stemmed from comments Gachagua made during a church function in Meru, where he allegedly suggested that the tribes from the Mt. Kenya region would resort to violence in response to his removal.

“During his appearance in church in Meru, the Deputy President insinuated that if he is removed, the tribes of Kenya who are native to the Mount Kenya area will revolt and be violent. That is treason and other allied offenses,” Shollei said in her contribution to the motion.

She emphasized that Gachagua’s utterances constitute a violation of the constitution and promote ethnic profiling, which contravenes the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Act.

Shollei further cited a recent rally in Githurai, Nairobi, where chants of “Ruto must go” and “Ruto is a one-term president” were prevalent in Gachagua’s presence. She accused the Deputy President of failing to denounce these slogans, effectively aligning himself with an anti-Ruto campaign.

“What that amounts to is that he is guilty of treason and other allied offences, as outlined in Section 40 of the Penal Code,” she stated, quoting the law: “Any person who owes allegiance to the Republic of Kenya and devises any action aimed at the death, wounding, or restraint of the President is guilty of treason.”

Regarding her remarks where she expressed intent to take charge of the impeachment process to ensure he leaves office, Shollei said she made the remarks as a Member of Parliament representing Uasin Gishu County and not as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, dismissing the claims of bias owing to the position she holds in Parliament, confirming that she is legally mandated to voice her opinion as an MP.