The Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi has exposed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for sharing misleading information about the purported sale of Bomas of Kenya.
Speaking on Sunday in Kajiado, Gachagua sensationally claimed that the renowned cultural site located in Nairobi had been sold to a Turkish investor after President William Ruto chaired Cabinet’s approval.
In a statement, Itumbi dismissed the sale claim terming the former DP’s assertions as false, reckless, baseless and a desperate attempt to mislead the public and derail national progress.
The renowned digital strategist clarified that contrary to the “deceptive” sale claim, Bomas, which has remained unchanged since the 1970s, is being modernised into a world-class international conference and cultural centre.
He affirmed that there has been no discussion, proposal or intention to sell Bomas to any foreign entity.
"This ambitious modernization is not just necessary, but it is long overdue. Kenya is taking bold steps to position itself as Africa's premier destination for high-level conferencing, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions, aligning with global standards to attract both regional and international events," said Itumbi.Some of the expansions the government is investing in the facility include an 11,000-seater modern arena, providing a much-needed plug-and-play venue for Kenya’s thriving creative industry, commercial accommodation and amenities for high-level delegates and a Presidential Villas Street.
In his remarks, Gachagua also claimed he was the only one who opposed the alleged sale of Bomas during the referred Cabinet meeting.
However, Itumbi exposed it as a lie, saying the impeached DP was among those who supported the modernisation proposal, acknowledging that the facility was in a bad state.
"Gachagua never opposed the modernisation of Bomas. In fact, he is on record in Cabinet supporting its fast-tracking, acknowledging that it was unfortunate that such a premier facility had been neglected for decades. To now claim otherwise is a textbook example of political dishonesty," said Itumbi.President Ruto’s point man further revealed that despite Gachagua fashioning himself as people’s defender and opposing perceived inappropriate Cabinet proposals, he barely contributed during Cabinet meetings.
With cabinet meetings now digitized, Itumbi disclosed that Gachagua spoke less than seven times in his entire period as Deputy President and at no time did he oppose anything.
During Cabinet meetings, sources indicate the former DP was regrettably often preoccupied with his phone, scrolling through WhatsApp group chats, memes and online gossip.
"For someone who spent Cabinet meetings chuckling at Internet banter, it is laughable to suggest he played a substantive role in policy discussions. His latest claims are nothing more than a desperate theatrical bid to hook the nation with his rich script of lies, narrated with a bit of oratory but devoid of any factual proof," Itumbi added.
