Is Kuria’s War With Gachagua Politically Inspired, Borne Out Of Envy?
The Mt Kenya Times 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Many believe this is not the first time we are seeing some Kikuyu leaders being used to bring down their leaders who stood a high chance of ascending to power and governing the nation of Kenya.
- In most cases, this would work at the expense of the diverse interests of the community. One of the card Kuria is playing is that of seeking public sympathies.
- He would want the Kikuyu and by extension the Mount Kenya region to swallow this card.
- DP Gachagua was not championing the course of region. He would give example of himself by citing the recent cabinet shake-up that saw him moved from the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry to that of Public Service Delivery Management.
I have lately been listening with keen interest the remarks attributed to cabinet secretary Moses Kuria and reading his frequent posts in social media and mainstream media
This is what comes to my mind. Kuria is a man on a mission and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was his main target.
He was out to derail and sabotage Gachagua’s plan and ambitions to inherit the mantle of Mount Kenya kingship from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In the course of my interactions with a cross section of Kikuyus, this is what majority of them would tell me.
Kuria have adopted a two-pronged strategy.
One, he is himself eyeing the seat of the kingship of the Mountain.
But by virtue of being high-ranking leader from region, he believed that Gachagua posed the greatest threat to his ambitions.
As such, Kuria have been made to believe that his dream can only bore the fruits if he engages DP in a no-hold-barred attacks.
But Gachagua was a wise man. He was fully aware of his agenda and the political forces behind him.
That is why he was not responding to him; it was too early to do so.
Many believe this is not the first time we are seeing some Kikuyu leaders being used to bring down their leaders who stood a high chance of ascending to power and governing the nation of Kenya.
In most cases, this would work at the expense of the diverse interests of the community.
One of the card Kuria is playing is that of seeking public sympathies.
He would want the Kikuyu and by extension the Mount Kenya region to swallow this card.
DP Gachagua was not championing the course of region. He would give example of himself by citing the recent cabinet shake-up that saw him moved from the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry to that of Public Service Delivery Management.
In referring to this matter, one thing was clear. Kuria believed he had been demoted.
So, one can also interpret this to mean he also had a bone to pick with his boss, President William Ruto.
Kuria should bear this in mind. Gachagua had nothing to do with his demotion. The prerogative of shaking the cabinet lied squarely with the President.
The President had given Kuria a job. If he realizes that your performance is wanting. You are yet to fit in that shoe one year down the line, he has a right to give you lighter duties. This is by moving you to another docket. He can even sack you.
Let me go to my second point. If Kuria realizes that it is hard to beat Gachagua because he enjoys the support of Mount Kenya, the question is. Will this make him change his mind?
For now, he seems not ready. He rather sound to be on a mission to bring down Gachagua.
This is while hoping that his card will bear the fruits. This is by making President Ruto to rethink his position and perhaps pick another running mate for 2027 polls from the Mountain or outside.
I highly doubt this will work. Dr Ruto understands the dynamics of the Mt Kenya politics. He knows that Gachagua is a force to reckon with. He has strong roots in the region. He has also been loyal to him.
This is unlike Kuria whose influence was hitherto only being felt in his home county of Kiambu. It has since been waning.
Kikuyus had previously learnt big lessons. The importance of staying together and being united is central. With this, the government of the day will not shortchange them. It will listen to them and fulfill the pre-election promises.
So, this is my unsolicited advice to Kuria. You should tread carefully on this matter.
Today, you may think you are very popular among the Kikuyus but tomorrow you will be shocked. They will totally shun and abandon you.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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