Bungoma Residents Stop Moses Wetang'ula From Addressing Them In English: "Mnataka Kuwa Kama Riggy G"

• Moses Wetang'ula's English speech faced interruptions as locals demanded that he switches to Kiswahili
• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua acknowledged the audience's preference for Swahili, thanking them for rejecting English jargon
• Gachagua humorously confessed to suffering when listening to Wetang'ula's English, arguing that English should only be used while conversing with foreigners

Bungoma - National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is known for his mastery of the King's language.

The politician has always dropped jargon during his speeches and sometimes left his audience confused.

During the launch of Bungoma County Aggregation and Industrial Park, Sang'alo, by President William Ruto on Monday, August 28, Wetang'ula had a difficult time addressing a charged crowd.

Popular referred to as Papa wa Roma; the Speaker explained the vital role the ground played in establishing Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

He explained that Sangalo was ripe to have a national polytechnic, adding that Education CS Ezekiel Machogu had sought his opinion.

However, midway through his speech, the locals demanded he shift to Kiswahili, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The veteran politician took a dig at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, asking the crowd why they had started complaining about English like the DP.

"Now you've started to sound like Riggy G lamenting about my English," he joked.

What was Gachagua's response to Wetang'ula?

Not to take the opportunity lying down, the DP thanked the locals for refusing to be tortured by English jargon.

He asked Wetang'ula to speak to foreigners and their Azimio rivals in English but revert to Swahili or the local Bukusu when addressing them.

Gachagua confessed to having suffered because of the Speaker's English, adding that he was surprised that he wasn't alone.

"If you see someone trying to hurt you, you refuse. Now, wasn't it your Speaker who tried to hurt you with English, and you refused? So, this Speaker of yours is hurting not just me alone but even hurting people at home.

And these people are the ones who helped you. You've hurt me for many years. Take your English and hurt those foreigners. They are the ones to be hurt, but leave us ordinary people alone. Speak to us in Swahili so that we can continue," he said.

Ruto looking forward to Wetang'ula's book

Earlier, President William Ruto said he was looking forward to the Speaker's book on Kenyan politics.

However, Ruto noted that they would need a dictionary to understand most of what Wetang'ula would write in the memoir.

"I am looking forward to the book of Papa Wa Roma (Moses Wetang'ula). I know we shall have problems with English, but we will try to read. I think we shall need a dictionary to accompany this so that we can interpret it," said Ruto amid loud laughter from the audience.