Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has fired the first salvo at his political detractors accusing them of being 'spies' sent to betray the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua likened his rivals to leaders who collaborated with the colonial government during the struggle for independence.
The DP Gachagua was speaking yesterday at the funeral of the late Julius Kano Ndumbi who was former Principal of Kianyaga High School, in Kirinyaga county.
He described his political detractors as traitors out to dismantle the Mt Kenya unity he was working to build.
“You know these people have been sent to spy and betray us, just like in the war for independence when a small group of people agreed to work with colonial masters to sell out their community, but they did not succeed, because we know them,” he said.
The DP said the plot to succeed him was a premature distraction.
“Some of you are being used, plotting and scheming for 2032, why are you campaigning when we just came from 2022 elections, focus on delivering on the seats you have been elected,” he said.
He insisted that nobody was born in leadership and the position was transient and there is life after politics.
“Nobody was born in these elective seats, we will serve and then we will move on, even before I was the DP I was still living and going about my business, there were those who were before us and they left,” Gachagua said.
The DP said the cycle of leadership was endless and there would be time for elections but the focus now should be on development.
“Stop stressing about these elective positions, people will come and go and the positions will still be there what is the big deal,” he said.
Gachagua was optimistic that the region was united and for every leader against unity, 1 million people supported a unified voting bloc.
“I am not a stupid leader, I decided as the senior leader in the region to focus on uniting our people irrespective of where they voted and those who are now shouting are trying to divide us because they are being used,” he said.
He reiterated that the voters in Mt Kenya region were intelligent and know who to elect in 2027 and the position of DP was God given and not permanent.
The DP revealed that his one week away from the public limelight was time for mediation and prayer, in Mt Kenya.
"I took seven days to pray, fast and meditate in Mt Kenya and I made it very clear to everyone that I should not be disturbed during this very special time, but when my former head teacher passed on, my wife sent word to me informing me of his demise because she knew of our close relationship," he said.
Gachagua has been in the eye of a political storm as a section of MPs openly castigate him and dismiss his Mt Kenya unity bid.
Maragwa MP Mary Wamaua told the DP to ignore his detractors.
"Look forward and don't be distracted by noise makers, their main agenda is to make you lose focus, leave them to us we will deal with them," Wamaua stated.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina said that there are only two leaders in office as per the certificate they got from UDA; the President and his Deputy.
"I know nothing will collapse under your leadership do not pay attention to noisemakers," Maina said.
Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango said the only expectation Mt Kenya people have is to get paid for their coffee as prices at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange were improving.
"I also throw my weight behind you to complete your term, I am behind you," Murango said.
The DP announced that the government would waive coffee debts owed by cooperatives and unions in a bid to boost the sector.
“We will offer debt relief to our coffee farmers even as we seek to revive the Coffee Board of Kenya and boost New KPCU to assist farmers. Next week when President William Ruto returns we shall present this through a cabinet memo,” he said.
President Ruto is currently on a four-day state visit to the US.
