Governor Mutahi Kahiga knows the value of 'good trouble'

With the courage to ruffle feathers when and where it’s least expected, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga isn’t your ordinary rural politician.  

From the onset, he had the temerity to confront rumbling tensions between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua when no else could lift a finger.

Former US President JF Kennedy once said being courageous requires no special credentials or a magic formula.

The Ruto-Gachagua tiff offered Mr Kahiga an arena to test his courage.

In defending Mr Gachagua, the governor became a godsend ‘troublemaker’ at home. He publicly avowed: “Kama mbaya ni mbaya (if things are bad, so be it).” The brashness was rare, and perhaps unseen in recent days against a sitting president.  

Come September 26 during the burial in Nyeri of Endarasha Academy pupils who died in a school fire, the hard-faced governor warned that ‘for every action, there will be a reaction,’ suggesting that ousting Mr Gachagua would have severe consequences for President Ruto.

Then in a TV interview moment later, Mr Kahiga doubled down on his commitment, asserting: “Bring it on! The mountain will be watching. You can’t do that to our son and expect us to be passive.” He said Mr Gachagua isn’t DP out of anyone’s favour or tokenism. 

He has also criticised Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, saying Mt Kenya supported Ruto to repay a debt owed by the former president, whom he accuses of deserting his deputy in 2022.

The governor still believes Mr Kenyatta should explain why he ditched Ruto.

Did he just stoke the fire? In a political landscape often marked by ambiguity, Mr Kahiga’s forthrightness can’t be wished away, and his loyalty to Mr Gachagua – ingenious or blind – means he will copiously harvest the political capital that comes with defending Mt Kenya interests.

Despite his advanced age, the governor’s bravery qualifies him to better help navigate the region’s dynamics in 2027 whether Mr Gachagua survives impeachment or goes home. Should the DP survive, he will badly need Mr Kahiga’s protection or counsel to fortify his grip.  

Those aware of Kenya’s intricate history will tell you the Nyeri governor is only comparable to Mr Odongo Omamo ‘Kaliech’ who was a thorn in the flesh of First Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and other opposition stalwarts in Nyanza and western Kenya.

Mr Kahiga’s other comparison is Mr Dickson Kihika Kimani who, in his heyday, was the most outspoken pro-Kanu politician from Nakuru. When he was MP for Bahati, Mr Kihika took on critics of President Moi with abandon. He took no prisoners just like Mr Joseph Kamotho and Mr Oloo Aringo who loathed Moi’s critics.

A few others with Mr Kahiga’s audacity were late MP Orwa Ojode who would crash anyone who dared criticise Raila Odinga during NDP days, and Mr Francis Lotodo, the resolute defender of the Pokot. Like Mr Gachagua and Mr Kahiga, they had strong opinions with no apology to make.

Should Mr Gachagua be sent home at last, Mt Kenya will be slippery for MP Ndindi Nyoro and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.

They need time to connect with the ‘village’ politically. Also, MP Kimani Ichungwa, former CS Moses Kuria, Azimio’s Jeremiah Kioni and outspoken MP Gathoni Wamuchomba still have a lot of learning to do to steer the vast region.

Whatever these leaders choose to do, they must all court Mr Kenyatta. Remember Mr Gachagua has explained that the former president remains the region’s king.

A lot will be at stake now as the DP fights for survival following the Tuesday tabling of a motion to kick him out.

President Ruto’s allies have accused the ‘truthful man’ of undermining the Constitution by fueling tribalism, having a hand in recent Gen-Z protests and engaging in graft. The DP maintains he is innocent. The nation, not just ‘mrima’ is waiting with bated breath.

The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo