‘Succession politics impoverishing Mt Kenya’- Kagwanja

Political strategist Professor Peter Kagwanja believes that the intense focus on President William Ruto's succession in Mt Kenya does not bring any tangible benefits to the region's residents.

Kagwanja has urged leaders in Mt Kenya to shift their focus from the political manoeuvring around Ruto's succession and instead concentrate on fostering development in the region.

Kagwanja concern

He expressed concern about the constant succession politicking which has been going on since 2018.

“President Ruto is only one year in office and we have started talking about his succession. We are coming from deep politics of the Uhuru succession where the Ruto group and the Uhuru group were on each other’s neck. The one who suffered is the ordinary person because there was no development,” Kagwaja said while addressing the press in Gichugu, Kirinyaga county.

He therefore urged leaders to abandon succession politics noting that such politics fuels no development.

“We are not God. Who told you that you will be there in 2032? Forget about that. Care for those who are living now, 40 per cent of Mt Kenya residents who cannot take their children to high school because they cannot afford it, you are not worried about that you are now worried about the position you will hold then” he said.

He said that leaders should focus on development projects to elevate the lives of voters instead of future elections.

“This is the time to mobilize our people not for the purpose of politics but for the purpose of development, go to the churches, and talk about development. We want to hear about the ordinary people and how we are going to deal with their problems,” Kagwaja said.

Kagwanja on unemployment

He added that there is a high rate of youth unemployment that leaders should be dealing with by finding a solution.

“We don’t want to hear about 10,000 people in Murang’a who have degrees. Some families have three degree holders at home and have no jobs instead of talking about how they are going to get employed here and abroad, we are now talking about how we are going succeed Ruto. In 2027, we are going decide whether he will come back or not,” he said.

He added, “Succession politics should be over, development politics should take over.”

He further blamed former President Uhuru Kenyatta for failing to negotiate with the current regime on behalf of the region.

“Uhuru failed us by not appointing a kingpin, to negotiate with Ruto, so we went into the Ruto government not a shared government. So the bargaining power is very weak that is true,”

He therefore called for unity amongst leaders adding that the people of Mt Kenya will vote depending on the development.

“We are in UDA, yes, but UDA is not our vehicle. I know we can negotiate and have but now if we empower Gachagua for example and you support him and you tell him to be bold and speak for us, he can do something but if we start getting divided there is nothing we are going to do. So for me, the most important thing is the unity of our people.”