'I am a villager' - Gachagua dons branded hoodie

He refers to himself as a ‘truthful man’ and he has never been shy to air his opinion.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is outspoken, without apology. This week, he took this a notch higher by donning a branded hoodie that got Kenyans talking.

The past few weeks have been pretty tumultuous for both Riggy G and his master President William Ruto but the formation of a broad-based government has quelled the tension.

The two embarked on a three-day trip to Kisii and Nyamira counties but it was the DP who caught the attention of Kenyans during one of his popular morning walks.

While savouring the freshness of the early morning Kisii air on Tuesday, Gachagua wore a black beanie, hoodie, track pants and blue sports shoes.

“Ahead of the second day of President William Ruto's development visit to Kisii and Nyamira Counties, I had a refreshing healthy walk this morning.

“I savoured the freshness and the serenity that is Kisii town and its environs. It was gratifying seeing early risers out and about building our Nation in the region known for its high productivity and hard work,” he wrote.

The message on his hoodie was ‘I am a villager’, perhaps emphasising what he said back in July while presiding over the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK)’s International Science Conference in Mombasa.

At the time, the DP said he was proud of his origin and no one would make him feel embarrassed about it.

“Mimi nimeshukuru sana sina mambo mingi…mkinikubalia nirudi Nairobi nikaekae alafu niende kwa Village unajua kila mtu yuko na mahali alitoka na kila mtu ako na kwao. Mombasa ni uwanja wa kutafuta riziki na Nairobi ni uwanja wakutafuta riziki lakini mwisho kabisa si unajua mahali utarudi…so  I don’t know why anybody should have a problem with where we all come from because somebody comes from somewhere and that is the truth and everybody should be proud of your origin and identity and nobody should ever make you feel embarrassed about your origin and identity,” Gachagua said.

He also urged leaders to use appropriate language to communicate depending on the audience.

“I am speaking English here because some of you may not understand my language…but when I go to the village what business do I have talking to them in English and yet am not a mzungu? Si hiyo itakuwa ni maringo?” he asked.