Why Mathira and Gichugu are the boiling points of Mt Kenya politics

Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua. [Standard]

Azimio La Umoja and Kenya Kwanza deputy presidential candidates Martha Karua and Rigathi Gachagua respectively, have put their home constituencies on the national map.

This is because, despite the two constituencies being separated by Ndia Constituency, they have never produced a high-flying man or woman for the office of the Vice President under the independence Constitution or come closer to producing a deputy president under the 2010 Constitution.

But the two electoral areas share many things in common. From producing firebrand MPs, growing tea, coffee and milk as their main cash crops and being in the same district thanks to the first President Jomo Kenyatta who created Kirinyaga District.