Speaking during a public engagement on Tuesday, Gachagua accused the government of focusing on high-profile international conferences while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, inadequate healthcare services, and limited access to quality education.
According to Gachagua, the summit which has attracted African leaders, policymakers, investors, and global development partners to Nairobi does little to address the daily struggles of millions of Kenyans.
He argued that flashy forums and diplomatic gatherings cannot substitute meaningful reforms that directly impact wananchi.
“The government is busy hosting expensive summits and entertaining foreign dignitaries while Kenyans cannot afford hospital bills or school fees,” Gachagua said. “This summit is being used to hoodwink citizens into believing progress is being made yet people are suffering.”
His remarks come as President William Ruto continues to champion the Africa Forward Summit as a platform aimed at driving investment, innovation, infrastructure development and financial reforms across the continent.
Ruto has repeatedly called on African nations to reduce dependency on foreign aid and instead prioritize local resource mobilization, industrialization and technology-driven growth.
Also Read
However, Gachagua questioned the immediate value of such discussions to ordinary Kenyans, saying citizens are more concerned about unemployment, food prices, access to medicine and deteriorating public services than international policy conversations.
The former deputy president also criticized what he described as misplaced government priorities, claiming billions of shillings are being directed toward conferences and public relations campaigns while critical sectors remain underfunded.
His comments are likely to intensify political debate surrounding the summit, which has already generated mixed reactions from sections of the public and political class.
Supporters of the government argue that hosting continental forums positions Kenya as a regional diplomatic and economic hub capable of attracting investment and partnerships that could create long-term opportunities for citizens.
Political analysts say Gachagua’s remarks reflect growing efforts by opposition leaders to capitalize on public frustration over economic hardships and rising living costs.
The outspoken politician has in recent months positioned himself as a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, frequently attacking government policies and spending priorities.
Despite the criticism, government officials maintain that the summit is a strategic opportunity to place Africa’s development agenda at the center of global conversations while opening doors for trade, infrastructure financing, and youth empowerment initiatives.
The Africa Forward Summit continues in Nairobi with several heads of state, investors, and business leaders expected to hold discussions on economic transformation, energy transition, artificial intelligence, and regional integration.
