Gachagua remains defiant, sustains push for Mt Kenya unity

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has continued to defy calls to end his push for regional Balkanization, saying that he will not abandon his cause and will continue to seek unity among the people of Mt Kenya.

Hours after attending the Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma, Gachagua headed straight to his backyard in Mt Kenya where he once again continued with rhetoric on the importance of uniting the region.

While attending a musical extravaganza in Nanyuki town that brought together artists from the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua, speaking in his mother tongue, claimed that the region had been infiltrated by traitors who were on a mission to bring division among the people of Mt Kenya.

“It cannot be that Rigathi Gachagua will work alone as if he's in government alone. When your members of parliament come to your constituencies ask them where they stand on our unity and the sharing of resources through the one man one vote one shilling formula,” he said.

The Mount Kenya unity crusade came barely hours after the head of state warned leaders against creating regional segregation, but the DP appeared to ignore his boss and instead continued with his push for more allocation of resources through the one man, one vote, one shilling formula.

He termed Mt Kenya leaders who are opposed to this formula as enemies of the region. He added that those who were not helping him to drum up support for the region's unity should be earmarked and punished at the ballot.

“When you see me move around Mt Kenya and you do not see them with me, ask them why they are not with their leader. If they are not with their leader then who are they with? And I want you to listen to them because when they speak it is not them speaking, if you look at them they are not supposed to be speaking in that manner. These are the people we should be cautious about,” said Gachagua.

Gachagua who was accompanied by several MPs said he would not abandon his cause to unite the region.

The deputy leader of the UDA Party disclosed that all was not well in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

“Whenever you see me quiet and not saying much, just know that all is not well. You know me, eventually, I will have to speak when things continue to go astray,” he said.

Speaking in Meru on Sunday, Gachagua once again emphasized the importance of uniting the region.

He told a church congregation that politics is about the scramble for resources.

“What is wrong with fighting for unity? We must fight for resources and fulfil what we promised our people after the election. I was a very bitter man after the election, it was very divisive but my wife prayed for me and I have forgiven people in this region, what is wrong with forgiving each other and uniting as a region?” he posed.

But other leaders from the region are opposed to Gachagua's push, saying the move could result in the region being isolated from the rest of the country.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said, “In 2007, we were in the same situation as we are now, and as a leader from Mt Kenya, I cannot allow our people to be misled into separating themselves from the rest of Kenya. That is why we are emphasising that hatutaki siasa za ukabila. We want a unified nation and to bring development to our people.”

Kiharu legislator Ndindi Nyoro who was in Samburu also told off Gachagua's camp reiterating that regional politics is outdated.

“Usiturudishe kwa ukabila yenye imepitwa na wakati. Ukifanya hivyo utafanya watu wetu watengwe na sisi tunataka kila mtu ajihisi yuko pahali yuko kwa sababu ni haki yake,” said Nyoro.

In recent days, Gachagua has sought the support of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta in uniting the Mt Kenya region but his sentiments continue to put him at loggerheads with leaders not only from Mt Kenya but other regions as well.

It remains to be seen whether his newly found cause will bear fruit or will cause more division among Mt Kenya leaders.