The Mt Kenya Times 
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
The Agikuyu must not scatter their sons for a plan woven by outsiders to weaken their stronghold.
By: Midmark Onsongo
Worth Noting:
- Why should Mount Kenya turn its back on Kindiki, a son of the soil, simply because he was appointed? Why should Gachagua, elected by the people, become a source of derision simply because he speaks boldly? The mastermind behind this division is none other than political expediency.
- Let us not forget that the mountain, in its history, has always been united when faced with threats from without. From the Mau Mau resistance to the Kikuyu Council of Elders’ wisdom, the mountain has stood as a symbol of defiance. Will the Agikuyu now let a modern-day Trojan horse infiltrate their fortress?
The old Kikuyu men said, “Kagutui ka mucíí gatihakagwo agéni.” Loosely translated, this means the oil skin preserved in the household should never be rubbed on strangers. It was a reminder that homegrown values, loyalty, and unity should never be squandered in favor of outsiders’ whims. But today, it seems the wisdom of the forefathers is being tested. The mountain, solid and unyielding, faces a subtle, sinister plot designed to fracture its rock. A plot so cunning that its makers think the people of Mount Kenya will not see through the smoke and mirrors. However, the Agikuyu are no strangers to resilience; they’ve seen seasons of drought and torrents of rain. They know when a storm is political and when it’s natural. The question now is, will they let themselves fall into the trap of division?
Let’s call it what it is—a charade to tear apart the sons of the mountain. Kithure Kindiki, born in Tharaka-Nithi County on July 16, 1972, is one of Mount Kenya’s own. By every measure, his roots dig deep into the region’s soil, and his story mirrors the mountain’s spirit of struggle and triumph. The man served as Senator and is now Deputy President, having been appointed by President William Ruto. On the other hand, Rigathi Gachagua, born in Mathira, Nyeri County, on February 28, 1965, is no stranger to the Agikuyu. Gachagua is a man who has clawed his way to prominence, representing his people fiercely as an elected Deputy President. But here’s where the fire burns: a clever puppeteer is orchestrating discord between these two sons, hoping to split the mountain into valleys of suspicion and mistrust.
Why should Mount Kenya turn its back on Kindiki, a son of the soil, simply because he was appointed? Why should Gachagua, elected by the people, become a source of derision simply because he speaks boldly? The mastermind behind this division is none other than political expediency. Let us not forget that the mountain, in its history, has always been united when faced with threats from without. From the Mau Mau resistance to the Kikuyu Council of Elders’ wisdom, the mountain has stood as a symbol of defiance. Will the Agikuyu now let a modern-day Trojan horse infiltrate their fortress?
Somewhere in the shadows, an agenda is unfolding. On December 5, 2022, whispers began to circulate, painting Kindiki as an outsider and Gachagua as the only rightful voice of the mountain. It’s laughable, really, for anyone to claim that one son of Mount Kenya is more authentic than the other. Kindiki and Gachagua are as different as night and day, but isn’t that the beauty of a united mountain? Diversity in character but unity in purpose. A wise man once said, “When two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers.” The Agikuyu must ask themselves, who benefits when Gachagua and Kindiki are pitted against each other? Who gains when the mountain fractures?
The mountain’s people have a choice: to listen or to lose. When Kindiki speaks at rallies, lending his voice to matters of national importance, why turn a deaf ear? After all, isn’t he one of your own? And when Gachagua thunders, rallying the people behind economic revival and regional empowerment, isn’t it the mountain that stands taller? A divided mountain is a weak mountain, and a weak mountain is ripe for exploitation. Let us remember how colonialists once sought to divide and rule. They knew the power of unity and worked tirelessly to dismantle it. Today’s political architects are no different. They come with pens instead of swords, promises instead of chains, but the goal remains the same: divide to conquer.
Picture this: a rally in Nyeri on January 28, 2024. Kindiki steps onto the podium, his words measured but firm, addressing youth unemployment, infrastructure, and agriculture. His vision resonates with hope. But a section of the crowd, influenced by divisive rhetoric, jeers him. How does that strengthen the mountain? Fast forward to March 15, 2024, in Kirinyaga. Gachagua, fiery as ever, calls for unity and warns against external interference. Yet murmurs persist, questioning his leadership style. Do you see the irony? The mountain’s sons are being weaponized against each other, and the people are falling for it.
The Agikuyu must ask themselves: what is the endgame? Who benefits when the mountain fights itself? In 2017, the Jubilee government stood as a testament to Mount Kenya’s unity, but the cracks began to show soon after. By the 2022 elections, the cracks had widened into chasms, and now, in 2024, the mountain stands on the brink of collapse. Will you let history repeat itself? Will you let outsiders dictate who is worthy of your cheer and who isn’t? Remember, “Gũtirĩ mũtĩ ũtarĩ magwa”—there is no tree without knots. Both Kindiki and Gachagua have their flaws, but does that make them any less your own?
Let us not forget that unity has always been the mountain’s greatest weapon. When Dedan Kimathi fought for freedom, did he do so alone? When Wangari Maathai planted trees for a greener Kenya, was she not supported by her people? The mountain thrives when it stands together. Even in disagreements, the Agikuyu have always found a way to rise above. So why let a divisive agenda succeed now?
Kindiki and Gachagua, whether by design or destiny, are the sons of the mountain. To reject one in favor of the other is to weaken the entire mountain. It is said, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The mountain cannot afford the luxury of speed; it needs endurance. It needs unity. The Agikuyu must see through the smokescreen and refuse to be pawns in a political chess game.
The old Kikuyu men were wise, weren’t they? “Kagutui ka mucíí gatihakagwo agéni.” The oil skin belongs to the household. It nourishes, heals, and strengthens the family. So, let Kindiki speak. Listen to him not as an outsider but as one of your own. Cheer Gachagua not out of obligation but because he, too, is your son. Let the mountain rise above petty politics, for the Agikuyu are more than just a voting bloc; they are a legacy, a force, a people bound by history and destiny. Unity is the only answer. For when the mountain speaks with one voice, the nation listens. Let the Agikuyu remember their roots, their strength, and their purpose. For in their unity lies not just the future of Mount Kenya but the destiny of Kenya itself. The choice is yours, Mount Kenya: to divide and fall or to unite and rise.
This article was scripted by;
MIDMARK ONSONGO, SGS
(Socio-Geographic Scholar)
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Pan-African leaders call for borderless Africa and urgent continental unity
- Pan-African leader calls for unity, youth empowerment and economic transformation
- Wantam or Tutam: The then what next?
- Gachagua escalates war with Ruto, questions his security
- Uhuru draws the line
About the Author
