- Uhuru and Gachagua fell out during the rigorous campaigns that preceded last year’s election, which saw the region split its support for former President.
- The DP has launched a vigorous campaign to challenge the position of Uhuru as the uncontested political leader of the Mt Kenya region.
Image: FILE
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's first cousin Captain (Rtd) Kung'u Muigai has requested him to stop sideshows and allow Ruto and his deputy to govern the country.
Speaking on Monday during a radio interview at Muoroto Fm, Kung'u said that Uhuru is no longer the kingpin of Mount Kenya region and he (Uhuru) should stop deceiving himself.
He urged him to handle the leadership mantle to Rigathi Gachagua who is the current senior politician in the region.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta has exhausted his leadership options and he is no longer the Kingpin of Mount Kenya region, he should retire from active politics and support others,” he said.
He said that the retired President currently has nothing to offer to the community and he should recognise and support others for the community to prosper.
Kung’u said that Uhuru should not lie to the people of Mount Kenya that the recent intimidation and accusation by the Kenya Kwanza government has forced him not to retire.
“Uhuru should not cite the recent intimidation and invasion of his farm as the reason which he wants to remain in power, let him retire peacefully in Ichaweri, Gatundu South and we will welcome him,” he said.
Uhuru and Gachagua fell out during the rigorous campaigns that preceded last year’s general election, which saw the region split its support for former President.
Armed with substantial financial resources and a polarising charisma that evokes both admiration and disdain, Gachagua has solidified his position as a prominent figurehead during a time of crisis in the region
The DP has launched a vigorous campaign to challenge the position of Uhuru as the uncontested political leader of the Mt Kenya region.
Over the past few weeks, Gachagua has been actively engaging with influential supporters of Uhuru, among them, the Jubilee Party losers in the last election, aiming to garner their support and fill the leadership vacuum left by the retired President's exit.
Political pundits believe that his relentless efforts in the region demonstrate a clear intention to assert his political influence and strengthen his position.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service in Thika, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia said that the DP is the legitimate leader of the region.
Kaguchia said that the region is proceeding well under the leadership of the DP.
“We are fully behind Gachagua and we know he will unite the country," he said.
He congratulated the DP for recently holding the meeting with former Jubilee leaders and declaring support to work with them.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangw’a on his part urged Gachagua to reach out to all leaders across the region for the sake of unity.
“Our deputy president, as our region leader, recently you held a meeting with former Jubilee leaders and we as leaders of Kiambu, we would like you to invite us considering all is not well here," Karungo said.
Kikuyu Council of Elders national chairman Wachira Kiago recently told the Star that they have initiated an elaborate plan to unite both Uhuru Gachagua.
Wachira Kiago said that they will reconcile the two and decide on who should continue leading the community.
“An elaborate plan has been initiated to unite the two leaders and we are sure that a solution will be reached,” he said.
A council member who has sought anonymity said that a section of elders have agreed that Uhuru should retain his position as the Mount Kenya political leader until he deems it appropriate to pass on the reins of power.
He echoed Kiago's sentiments that the elders plan to reconcile the two leaders to pave the way for a smooth handing over of cultural instruments of leadership.
The ceremonial items, consisting of a traditional mace, seat, hat, knife, bag, sword, whisk, garment, sandals, needle and tweezer, were bestowed upon Uhuru in 2012, shortly before he was elected for his initial term.
Former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria had earlier warned elders and Mount Kenya leaders against disrespecting Uhuru.
Wa Iria, who is the leader of the Usawa Kwa Wote party, has been clamouring for the kingpin of the region against Gachagua.
He was quoted saying that Uhuru became a kingpin before he was elected president in 2013, and that had nothing to do with his ascendancy to the presidency.
Wairia said that kingpinship has nothing to do with electoral affairs or one's pecking order in government; it's about cultural contribution and leadership.