- Gachagua has embarked on an aggressive campaign to dislodge retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the undisputed Mt Kenya kingpin.
- The DP has been meeting and wooing strong Uhuru troops in apparent efforts to fill the political leadership void created by the retired President’s departure.
Image: FILE
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has said Mount Kenya shall remain united behind Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kahiga said this through his social media page after he held a meeting with immediate former Mukurwe-in MP Anthony Kiai who paid him a courtesy call at his office on Thursday.
He said they deliberated on issues affecting the Mt Kenya region.
“The mountain shall remain united and rally behind our son, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” Kahiga said.
Gachagua has embarked on an aggressive campaign to dislodge retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the undisputed Mt Kenya kingpin.
The DP has been on a back-to-back offensive in the vote-rich region, meeting and wooing strong Uhuru troops in apparent efforts to fill the political leadership void created by the retired President’s departure.
Former Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria on Wednesday during a press briefing vowed to fight for his 'rightful' position in Mt Kenya politics, claiming there are deliberate efforts to edge him out.
Wairia said despite his failed bid in last year’s general election, he will still vie for the position through his Usawa Kwa Wote party.
He also said a senior politician in Mount Kenya has hatched a plot to seize any potential leader from the region, to ensure they have no voice even when things go wrong.
Last August, while speaking in Rongai, Nakuru Gachagua said there won't be a vacuum left in Mt Kenya when Uhuru hands over power.
"People asked who will fight for Mt Kenya when Uhuru retires. I want to assure you that I am here, I will fight for the people," he said.
During an interview with the Star, Kikuyu council of elders chairman Wachira Kiago recently said Uhuru will remain as the spokesperson of the Mount Kenya region as he (Uhuru) is the most senior.
“We will only appoint any other individual to act as spokesperson if Uhuru personally wishes to resign and we will hand over Muthegi (stick) to someone else,” Wachira said.
The chairman however, acknowledged Gachagua as a senior Mount Kenya leader who also commands huge support from the people.
Former Molo MP Jacob Macharia also told the Star that Gachagua stands to be a community kingpin.
He said Uhuru and Gachagua should lead the community in the right direction.
“Uhuru should always be available for Gachagua whenever a weightier matter on Mount Kenya region is at hand and requires active thinking,” Macharia said.
He said Uhuru’s time has come to an end and it’s time for Gachagua to shine and lead the community to future prosperity.
“Nature and circumstances have conspired to have Gachagua as community spokesperson and Uhuru should handover the baton," Macharia said.
EALA MP Kanini Kega recently said Gachagua is the new Mt Kenya kingpin.
Kanini said Gachagua has put in the work of uniting the region, which is commendable.
"Gachagua did well in uniting the Mt Kenya region. He is the only senior leader we have. We need to rally behind him as a region," he said.
Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu had earlier said Gachagua has put himself on the path to becoming the region’s kingpin with his early signs to protect the community’s interest.
UDA legal secretary and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said Gachagua has already initiated a plan to reach leaders from all political divides and unite them.
He said Uhuru seems to have abandoned active politics and Gachagua has stepped in to avoid a vacuum.
“Gachagua is Mt Kenya kingpin and there is no debate about it. Currently he (Gachagua) is the senior most politician in the region involved in active politics,” Muriu said.