‘Mnaongea matope’ – Gachagua lashes out at Mt Kenya senators over 2027 politics
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has scolded a section of Mount Kenya senators over what he terms premature 2027 politics.
Addressing a roadside crowd in Meru County on Thursday, January 25, Gachagua said Nyeri Senator Wamatinga Wahome and his Murang'a counterpart Joe Nyutu should desist from politicking and focus on their oversight role in the Senate.
"Those who have been elected on UDA and Kenya Kwanza ticket need to focus on development. They should mind their utterances. When some of them are on TV they get excited and start speaking garbage," Gachagua lamented adding that the legislators were out of order.
The lawmakers are among members of parliament from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region who, in recent weeks, have sparked a debate on the 2027 and 2032 succession politics, giving rise to speculations of a rift in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Last week, Nyutu led a section of politicians from the region to endorse Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro to succeed Gachagua as President William Ruto's running mate in 2027.
"We love the president and because we don't want him to encounter any problem in the mountain then I think the best [thing] would be to come with the most popular running mate," Nyutu said during an interview with Citizen TV.
"I think he (Nyoro) could be more popular, we are on the ground we listen to people, we hear what people think about each one of us. Ndindi has shown some very good social skills, a very good relationship with people and generally he has favour."
The endorsement ruffled feathers within the UDA party, prompting Gachagua and President Ruto to censure the MPs.
Wahome, on his part, told a local publication that the Mt Kenya region made a major miscalculation by joining the Kenya Kwanza coalition without their party.
He argued that the move had left the region without a voice in the ruling coalition.
"We need to go back to the drawing board and ask ourselves serious questions about our political future. We may not complain about the appointment of our people in government but we must probe the strength of these appointments," Wamatinga said.
Ruto fires warning shot
President Ruton on Tuesday urged the leaders to refrain from succession politics and focus their energies on development.
Speaking in Gilgil, Nakuru County, the Head of State said he was working with Gachagua to mentor the youthful leaders in the ruling party.
”The deputy president and I have a plan. We said we would give mentorship to these young leaders in UDA. They however need to slow down lest they spoil things,” Ruto warned.
