I'm not after being crowned Mt Kenya kingpin - Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that he is not interested in being crowned Mt Kenya's political kingpin.

The DP was speaking to Inooro TV at his home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri, on Sunday.

He said his recent actions on defending Nairobi matatu operators from being relocated from the CBD to the Green Park terminus are not in any way geared towards having him labeled as Mt Kenya kingpin.

He said his desires are to help people as their voice and he not looking for relevance.

This comes hot on the heels of an alleged tiff between him and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over matatu eviction from Central Business District.

"I'm not eyeing any political seat, I'm looking for wealth, unity and contentment of our people. What is the need of leading people who are always wiping their tears away?" he asked.

"What is the need of leading people who are troubled? what is the need of leading poor people and people who are always holding harambees for their sick people?"

He said he is fulfilled when the people he is leading prosper.

"I'll feel proud as a leader when I will lead people who are rich and have their own properties, people who are happy and with thriving businesses," he said.

Since December, there has been an exchange of words between leaders from the Mt Kenya region and those from Western Kenya.

The war of words was triggered by Gachagua, who criticised Sakaja's move to relocate long-distance matatus from the CBD to Green Park terminus. 

Sakaja directed that long-distance matatus to and from Nyanza, Western, North Rift, South Rift and Central Rift pick and drop passengers at Green Park terminus in an attempt to decongest the city. The move was challenged in court by the matatu operators. 

It also drew harsh criticism from DP Gachagua, who said the move would be detrimental to business people, especially those from Mt Kenya.