Stop disrespecting Gachagua, MPs tell Ichungwa

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [File, Standard]

More leaders have come out to condemn Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa for publicly undermining Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Kangema MP Peter Kihungi and his Kirinyaga counterpart Jane Njeri speaking separately claimed that Ichungwa was watering down efforts being made by Gachagua to revive tea and coffee sectors which are key economic drives in Mt Kenya region.

Speaking at Ichichi ACK Church in Kangema, Kihungi cautioned politicians against meddling in tea and coffee sectors which are under the office of the Deputy President.

"Ichungwa in his meetings he is playing politics, misleading the public when a lot of efforts have been done to address the concerns on the revival of the two major cash crops," he said.

The Kangema MP urged Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja to come out and give the position of the government on tea and coffee sectors to end the confusion being created by leaders peddling lies.

"Information that the deputy president was colluding with tea and coffee brokers to exploit farmers, is high level disrespect," he said.

Kihungi said he has passion for the agriculture sector and Ichugwa should stop misleading the residents for his personal interests.

On Friday, the Majority Leader was in Mathioya constituency, accompanied by local leaders led by area MP Edwin Mugo.

Speaking in Kirinyaga county, Njeri asked Mt Kenya leaders to stop disrespecting Gachagua.

She hit out at Ichungwa for unwarranted attacks on the DP.

"In other regions, leaders defend their senior most politicians, but in Mt Kenya region it is the contrary as they are attacking their own," said the Kirinyaga MP.

Last week, Kenya Tea Development Agency Chairman Enos Njeru addressing directors said 60 million kilogrammes of old stock had been sold, following intervention by the government.

Another 40 million kilogramme is set to be cleared from the warehouses by the end of the month.