Gachagua's allies tell off Nyoro in fight for Mt Kenya kingpin mantle

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

A group of MPs has vowed to fight what they termed political aggression against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, this coming just a week after another faction endorsed Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro as the region's kingpin.

The over ten MPs allied to the DP - Mathira's Eric Wamumbi, Bettie Maina (Muranga) Ann Wa Muratha (Kiambu) Maina Karobia (East African Legislative Assembly) Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga) Githua Wa Macukuru (Kabete) Micheal Muchira (Oljororok) Irene Njoki (Bahati) Jane Kagiri (Laikipia) Cynthia Muge (Nandi) and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) - asked the Nyoro to go slow with his ambitions.

Muratha, who spoke on their behalf, said the Mt Kenya region is happy to have the position of DP, the second most powerful in the Kenya Kwanza administration, hence the need to support the holder of that position, Mr Gachagua.

"There is no vacant position in the Kenya Kwanza administration. Anyone who wants to vie for any position must wait until 2027. For now, we need to accord the president and his deputy the much-needed support for them to deliver their agenda," said Wa Muratha.

His Murang'a counterpart Njeri said: "There are other issues to deal with for now, that are affecting our country. However, even in 2027, we will support the president and his deputy for another term in office."

Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, who likened the Kiharu MP to a young restless bull, said Gachagua remained the region's leader and urged the "young turks" to go slow on their ambitions.

Kieni MP Anthony Njoroge discouraged the debate saying it could plunge the region into an electioneering mood that may affect development" at the time we are supposed to be busy working for the people who elected us".

He added: "As of now, we need to be busy lobbying and initiating development projects in our region. If we start fighting, our region will lag behind in development."

The MP said while it is true the country's future is in the hands of the youth, the young should accept mentorship, especially by President William Ruto and his deputy.

The leaders spoke in Mathira where they had accompanied Wamumbi during the launch of the Masomo Kwa Wote programme. They pledged their loyalty to Mr Gachagua, coming after another group pledged their loyalty to Nyoro during their meeting in Muranga town last week.

Meanwhile, Mwea MP Mary Maingi has also waded into the debate saying: "It should not be lost that Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru is serving her last term. Should there be a chance for a presidential running mate, she should be considered.

"President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua are in office and firmly in control of this country. It should be clear that there are no vacant positions in government at the moment. Let us all focus on work," said the MP.

She added: "In Kirinyaga, we have our governor who is leaving after two terms. She should be considered for the position of running mate in the 2027 presidential election. Let us have a woman deputy president next time. And if governor Waiguru becomes uninterested in the position of running mate, I am capable of taking that mantle."

In Meru, some residents took to social media saying Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure would be the best bet for the running mate position in the next presidential election.

However, Gachagua warned politicians against engaging in succession politics, urging them to allow the president time to deliver on his pre-election pledges. "The president has only served for only one year, he has nine to before he retires."

"The president was elected just a year ago yet some are already discussing how they will succeed him. It is not time to discuss how to succeed the president. It is time to work. Let us focus on helping the president push this country forward. We will discuss the rest later. Currently, we are focused on service delivery," Gachagua said.

"It is disrespectful, insensitive and rude to the people to start planning how to succeed President Ruto. The people do not want to hear about elections now. They do not want to hear who will be elected where; they want service delivery; they want electricity, water and other forms of development," he said.