Mt. Kenya politics: DP Gachagua trashes MP Ndindi Nyoro succession talk

Intrigue surrounds what is being described as a self-styled deputy presidential race that is all but formally in progress in the Mt. Kenya region.

In a development that is whetting the appetite of political analysts, a section of leaders from the region have kicked off a campaign to replace Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as President William Ruto’s running mate in the next general election.

The section of leaders rallying against DP Gachagua accuse him of failing to address issues facing the region, for instance initiating the much needed reforms in the coffee and tea sectors.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said: “Rigathi Gachagua, by virtue of his position, is the defacto leader of the mountain, any other thought is far-fetched. Being the chairman of budget is good, we congratulate Ndindi Nyoro...Kimani Ichung’wah is the Majority Leader, we congratulate him...but these are positions lower than the deputy president.”

Opponents of the deputy president say he has been unsuccessful in uniting the Mt. Kenya region and should pave way for fresh blood, the preferred choice being Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro.

But DP Gachagua says he will not be distracted by the substitution chorus.

“Let me say for the avoidance of doubt, I have only one focus as Gachagua, i am focused on one thing; assisting President William Ruto to succeed...hii ingine wengine wanafuata mambo mengine, mimi siko hapo...hata mpige kelele gani,” he stated.

Governor Kahiga added: “I don’t think anyone should come out fighting those leaders, even if they have agitated and used their friends to pitch for leaders...they’re doing the right thing, it’s just that the timing is off.”

DP Gachagua on Monday dismissed the succession talk as an insult to Kenyans who expect service delivery.

“Hata wakijaribu nini, ati watu wanaleta maneno ati wanitoe kwa hiyo kazi ati ndio nijibizane na watu, ati nianze kutafuta wabunge kuwaita ati mkuje mnisaidie...mimi I am focused, and I cannot lose focus... in this administration I have no other agenda...to make sure that I assist President Ruto succeed in the economic transformation of this country...wale wanataka kusucceed President Ruto muendelee,” he said.

Muranga'a Senator Joe Nyutu pulled the succession talk trigger over the weekend, questioning the process that led to Gachagua being picked as President Ruto's running mate, saying he should be replaced by MP Noro in the next election.

A section of Mt. Kenya leaders had come together to endorse MP Nyoro as the preferred successor of President Ruto come 2032, but DP Gachagua has laughed off the proposition saying it is coming nine years too early.

“Nyinyi vijana, Ruto amechaguliwa juzi, mwaka moja, he has nine years to go...you are talking about succeeding him, mnataka kurithi mzee akiwa hai? Surely, you young people, what is wrong with you? President has been elected, ati sijui ni huyu ata succeed yeye in 2032, this is kukosa respect to the people,” said Gachagua.

The intriguing deputy presidential succession talk is the first such political discourse about a sitting number two since the 1989 dramatic ouster of Vice President Josephat Karanja through a similar regionally fronted initiative.