Rigathi Gachagua’s Tribute To KK Mwenyewe Sparks Intense Online Backlash Over “Performative Mourning”

Kenya is currently witnessing a wave of intense online backlash following former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s tribute to the late TikTok comedian Zachariah Kariuki, popularly known as KK Mwenyewe. Instead of being met with sympathy and condolences, Gachagua’s message has triggered a storm of criticism, with many Kenyans accusing him of “performative mourning” and perceived neglect of the young comedian during his lifetime.

Gachagua posted the tribute on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, July 15, describing the 23-year-old content creator as “a content creator par excellence” whose unique brand of comedy had deeply resonated with Kenyans. The post included a poignant black-and-white image of KK in a suit, adjusting his jacket—a formal portrait seemingly chosen to honor the young comedian’s significant contribution to the digital space.

However, public sentiment turned sour almost immediately. Numerous Kenyans flooded the comment section, slamming Gachagua for allegedly ignoring KK Mwenyewe when he was alive and only acknowledging his talent and impact after his tragic death.

“Too Little, Too Late”: Online Reaction to Gachagua’s Condolence

The online reaction quickly coalesced around a pervasive sense of “too little, too late.” X user @BookTen set the critical tone, writing:

“You failed to recognize him when he was alive. He tried to reach out, but you ignored. Let those who stood with him mourn in peace.” Another user, @WillieOeba, directly echoed this sentiment, accusing the politician of hypocrisy: “You ignored him when he was alive. Stop these sideshows.”

Many users specifically referred to past incidents where Gachagua had allegedly shown public support for a female content creator, Ivy Chelimo (who famously coined the nickname ‘Riggy G’), over KK Mwenyewe, despite KK’s widespread popularity stemming directly from his impersonations of Gachagua himself. @kafangi wrote: “You chose that lady over him. You could have supported both.” The criticism intensified with more personal jabs and pointed questions about the sincerity of the tribute.

@GeorgeiQwatson remarked: “You ignored him at the expense of the nickname queen. Hapo aje sasa @rigathi.” @AtwoliiYa directly posed: “So now you condole… what will you do to help the family?”

A poignant philosophical take that resonated with many was offered by @Friday, highlighting the often-unseen struggles of creatives: “Being a man is hard. You’re loved most when gone.” While the overwhelming tone was critical and accusatory towards Gachagua, a few users offered a broader reflection on societal behavior and the belated recognition often afforded to male creatives during their lifetime: @fels1 posted: “88% of men receive their first flowers at their funeral.” @AlinurMohamed simply wrote: “To be a man…”—a sentiment that powerfully resonated with many about unrecognised male talents and the belated appreciation they often receive