Gaucho~Raila ndiye aliniambia ya kwamba anaongea na Sakaja ili atafute mahali aniweke

Controversial youth leader Calvince Okoth, widely known as Gaucho, has now opened up on how he got appointed to the board of Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

Speaking during an interview with NTV Kenya on Thursday evening, Gaucho claimed that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga personally told him that he would speak with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to help him get a position.

According to Gaucho, he first received the news while at home during the night, but at first he did not take it seriously.

He said that the issue had been discussed before for nearly one and a half years, with claims that Sakaja could help him get a job.

Gaucho said it was Raila Odinga who directly informed him that he would talk to Sakaja and find a suitable place for him.

“Raila Odinga ndiye aliniambia ya kwamba anaongea na Sakaja ili atafute mahali aniweke.”

He further explained that when the news started circulating online, he first thought it was just another social media story meant to create attention.

Because of this, he did not post anything immediately since he was not yet sure whether the appointment was true.

However, after receiving the official gazette notice, he confirmed the news and later shared it publicly.

His appointment has since sparked debate among Kenyans online, with some questioning whether he is fit for the role, especially because he has no formal higher education and was not seen during the recent Gen-Z protests.

In response to the criticism, Gaucho defended himself, saying his role at the hospital board is not to perform medical duties but to represent the interests of ordinary wananchi.

He said doctors are already employed to handle treatment and medical services, while his responsibility is to speak for the youth and people from the informal settlements.

Gaucho also admitted that he left school while in Class Six.

“Ni kweli nimewacha shule katika darasa la sita. Lakini nimeteuliwa kuwawakilisha vijana wa ghetto…mimi kama ghetto president, naelewa mashida zao…unapata msichana amepata mimba, mwanaume amehepa, amezaa pale Mama Lucy, nah ana mtu atamsaidia ili atoke. Sasa mimi kama Gaucho ambaye anawakailisha hao vijana na naelewa shida zao, naweza omba board to waive bill ya huyo msichana aende. Sasa hiyo inataka degree gani?” He posed.

Despite this, he insisted that his life experience and understanding of ghetto struggles make him the right person to represent young people from places such as Dandora, Mathare and Korogocho.

He gave an example of young mothers who give birth at Mama Lucy Hospital but struggle to clear hospital bills after being abandoned by their partners.

According to him, being on the board gives him a chance to push for support such as waiving bills for vulnerable mothers.

He questioned why such a role should strictly require academic degrees.

Gaucho also addressed claims that some people refer to youths from the estates as “goons.”

He argued that such labels come from the harsh environment and economic struggles many young people face in informal settlements.

According to him, the real problem lies with leaders who use the youth for political activities and later brand them negatively.

The remarks have continued to attract mixed reactions from Kenyans on social media, with some supporting his appointment and others strongly opposing it.