Did Kahiga’s remarks suggest Dr Ruto is losing the grip of Mt Kenya region?

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• You are the people who voted me and elevated us to these positions. You did this because you believed in us and our president William Ruto. So, we will not let you down.
• Here in the Mountain we have no shortage of young leaders who are good and vibrant. He mentioned Ndindi Nyoro, Sabina Chege, Kimani Ichungwah and Kanini Kega. I’m committed to unite them and all other leaders in this region. Unity is strength. So if we speak in one voice we will get what went.
• You saw what happened in parliament during the election of members of East Africa Legislative Assembly [EALA].

In the General Election held in August this year, the Mount Kenya region overwhelmingly voted for United Democratic Alliance [UDA] presidential candidate Dr William Ruto. 40 percent of the national votes he garnered came from this region and it became the bedrock of the support that catapulted him to the coveted seat of the president.

During the campaign period, there were two questions that kept propping up. Did this region rallied behind him because they believed he stood out as the best candidate? Was this a sign of revolt against their son-president Uhuru Kenyatta-and so the residents were out teach Uhuru a lesson? In this election, the outgoing president was backing the candidature of Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Well, let me leave this topic for now. However, allow me to say this. President Ruto has so far demonstrated that he didn’t take this support for granted. He gave this region the lion share of slots for cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries.

Putting this aside, I have lately been listening to the remarks and statements attributed to the political bigwigs from this region. Some people would interpret the comments as an indication that the Mountain is not yet contented.

Well, politics is a game and sometimes it is hard to predict the outcome.

I listened to the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s speech during the burial in Meru County and, contrary to the impressions in some quarters; he did not utter any word suggesting he was out to fight his boss. He only came out as an ambition leader who is looking forward to stamp his authority in the Mountain. This is normal.

You are the people who voted me and elevated us to these positions. You did this because you believed in us and our president William Ruto. So, we will not let you down.

Here in the Mountain we have no shortage of young leaders who are good and vibrant. He mentioned Ndindi Nyoro, Sabina Chege, Kimani Ichungwah and Kanini Kega. I’m committed to unite them and all other leaders in this region. Unity is strength. So if we speak in one voice we will get what went.

You saw what happened in parliament during the election of members of East Africa Legislative Assembly [EALA].

I mobilized Kenya Kwanza MPs from our region to support Kanini Kega of Azimio and two others who were members of UDA.

Speaking two days later in his backyard of Nyeri County, he stated. You heard me talking about the unity of the Mountain. I’m doing this because I want to help my boss, President William Ruto, succeed in fulfilling the promises he made during the campaigns. So, my work is to unite these leaders behind his able leadership.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga had a few days earlier lashed out at members of UDA from Rift Valley. This would be interpreted as taking the war to the doorsteps of key allies of President Ruto.

But during that church event, Gachagua told him off to his face. We heard what you said Governor. I caution you to avoid going into that direction.

Initially I had a low opinion on Gachagua’s leadership but I have now come to realize this. This is not a person you can joke with when it comes to playing politics. He is a shrewd and cunning politician and, therefore, you can only write him off at your own peril.

For now, I want to believe his words. There is no love lost between him and president.

We saw what happened when the former President Uhuru Kenyatta fallout his deputy. As adage goes that when the two bulls fight it is the grass that suffers, we the people of Kenya bore the brunt. The political environment had been polluted and so no meaningful development would be realized.

But as the senior-most leader from Mount Kenya regions, the DP had a responsibility to shepherd and protect the interests of his people. I wish him well.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political commentator based in Nairobi