Seven senators disown Gachagua as Mt Kenya kingpin

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a tour of Meru on September 28, 2024. [DPCS]

Seven senators have come out to express support for Interior and National Government Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the Mt Kenya kingpin.

Speaking during a thanks-giving ceremony at Iriani Secondary School in Tharaka Nithi county over the weekend, hosted by area Senator Mwenda Gataya, the senators disowned Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua saying he is not a national leader.

The disclosed that there is a rift in the Kenya Kenya Kwanza government.

“The person we gave the position of deputy president has transformed into a leader of a particular tribe, yet we want a leader who represents the face of the country, one who is acceptable in the entire country," said Gataya.

"We thank the president for giving us the broad-based government and that is why we are with ODM senators and others, so that we can achieve development," he added.
"The National Assembly and Senate have agreed that we must have someone who supports the development of the whole country and that person is Kithure Kindiki. He is our link to the national government,” said Gataya.

The Tharaka Nithi senator declared that he will support the impeachment motion against Gachagua.

“We want to dethrone the deputy president from government. When it (impeachment motion) comes to the Senate, all the senators here starting with him will be the first to support. Because we want someone who represents the face of the country,” he said.

Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga said senators from Mt Kenya will rally behind President William Ruto's development agenda.

“So that the broad-based government that he has formed achieves the vision that we had for Kenyans. As leaders we agreed that we will not engage in tribal politics, we want to unite to create a country that future generations will be proud of,” said Wamatinga.

He called for unity of the country devoid of tribalism.

“The GEN Z and Alpha (generations) showed us that we can have a country free of tribalism and that is why we agreed that we will ensure that we will have a united country,” the senator said.
“As the Senate we have made a deliberate decision to support President Ruto in the ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001503275/possible-beneficiaries-in-gachagua-woes">broad based government< to ensure that he delivers the manifesto that he promised Kenyans. We must empower Kenyans economically,” he added.

Wamatinga warned against divisive politics saying it is a recipe for chaos.

“This country is bigger than anyone of us and we must not be seen to be threatening one another because we do not follow a particular political path. We want to protect future generations. You will see in the coming days that as senators we will move around the country preaching unity,” he said.

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi said Mt Kenya leaders met and picked Prof Kindiki to champion the interests of the people.
“We endorsed Kindiki so that he can represent our development interests,”’ Mundigi said.

Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi defended their decision saying the Interior CS had distinguished himself as as a national leader.

In attendance were Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Nominated Senator Beth Siengo.