Gachagua, who launched his own political machine on Thursday — Democracy for the Citizens Party — has opposed the rejuvenation of Jubilee with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I as its captain.
The fear in Gachagua’s team is that a strong Jubilee could weaken his grip on the region as many aspirants could seek political office through the former ruling party.
Gachagua’s misgivings could put him in friction with the Uhuru team and potentially split the opposition.
The former Deputy President insists Matiang’i should seek the country’s top job through a Gusii homegrown political party.
Jubilee has rubbished the demands, with secretary general Jeremiah Kioni terming it an attempt to “perpetuate his politics of shareholders in the opposition coalition”.
Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who recently fell out with Gachagua, says the former DP has been insisting on having only his party as the vehicle of choice in Mt Kenya.
Wambugu, who until recently was the political and communication adviser of Gachagua, said there is a deliberate effort to kill Jubilee Party in Mt Kenya because it’s the one party guaranteed to provide a safe and respectable alternative should things go south for aspirants in ‘new’ parties.
“We must remind him [Gachagua] that his call for a single party has no place in Mt Kenya. He must recognise the importance of allowing other parties to exist both now and in the future to ensure a vibrant and inclusive political landscape,” Ngunjiri said.
“I am a proud member of the Jubilee Party, which is now nine years old. I would have a serious problem with anyone proposing that we fold all existing parties into one. That kind of thinking is dictatorial.”
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, a close ally of Gachagua, on Thursday held a consultation meeting with Matiang’i on the day Gachagua was launching his party.
Gachagua has fashioned himself as the leader of the Mt Kenya region, directly challenging former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political dominance in the region.
He also snatched key Jubilee members and made them officials in his party.
These are former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, who was named deputy chairperson, ex-Starehe MP Maina Kamanda (chairman of eminent persons), former Kasarani MP Mercy Gakuya (secretary for education).
In his Wamunyoro consultative meetings, Gachagua has hosted various Jubilee leaders from different counties, including Kiambu and Nairobi.
The Mbeere North by-election in Embu is expected to present an opportunity for the two outfits to flex their muscles and gauge their popularity in the region. Within the opposition ranks, there are also parties with roots in Mt Kenya, such Justin Muturi’s DP and Martha Karua’s PLP.
During the second Mwai Kibaki memorial lecture last month, DP’s leadership asked Gachagua to allow the party to take back the Othaya parliamentary seat in honour of the deceased former President. Gachagua responded, saying they would seek an arrangement for the seat.
