Is Ndindi Angling Himself For position Of Mount Kenya Kingpin?

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• Given this scenario, one thing is clear. Both Ndindi Nyoro and DP Rigathi Gachagua DP shares one thing in common. The two perceives Uhuru Kenyatta as the greatest stumbling block.
• Well, the debate that Ndindi has waded into the supremacy battle for the Mountain kingship took a new turn few days ago when he hosted Kenya Kwanza lawmakers drawn from various parts of the country in his constituency of Kiharu.
• A legislator from President William Ruto’s home turf of North Rift stated. They consider Ndindi as the gate to the Mountain. So, we pass through him when we want to meet your leaders.

I have heard that Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is positioning himself to succeed former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the kingpin of Mount Kenya region.

At the back of his mind, he is reportedly aware that besides Uhuru, the deputy President Rigathi Gachagua posed a real threat to his bid.

In his recent remarks, the former President’s message was very clear.

Those who think I’m going to hang my boot soon got it wrong.

I’m not going anywhere. I only retired as a President but I’m not tired. I still believe in the agenda of the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition leader Raila. Therefore, he remains as my party leader.

Uhuru told a mammoth crowd in Kisumu town after attending the burial  of former Education CS George Magoha who had served in his cabinet.

He was accompanied by the Azimio leader.

To many, he spoke as the kingpin of the Mountain and the party leader of Jubilee, the immediate former ruling party.

Given this scenario, one thing is clear. Both Ndindi Nyoro and DP Rigathi Gachagua DP shares one thing in common. The two perceives Uhuru Kenyatta as the greatest stumbling block.

Well, the debate that Ndindi has waded into the supremacy battle for the Mountain kingship took a new turn few days ago when he hosted Kenya Kwanza lawmakers drawn from various parts of the country in his constituency of Kiharu.

This was during the launch of the bursary fund, dubbed Masomo Bora programme.

Most of speakers praised his development record and rooted for him to take over the mantle of region.

Besides being youthful, Hon Ndindi has a good record. He is therefore the right person to lead this region.

Another MP remarked as quoted by one of the mainstream newspapers (DN) as saying.  Kiambu county has produced two Presidents-the first and fourth.

Nyeri County has produced one- the third President.

Again, in last year’s poll the seat of deputy President by passed you and went to the same region. It is now Muranga County’s turn and we have Ndindi here.

A legislator from President William Ruto’s home turf of North Rift stated. They consider Ndindi as the gate to the Mountain. So, we pass through him when we want to meet your leaders.

It is worth to recall the cracks pitting key allies of Dr Ruto in the Mountain started to emerge in the run up to 2022 polls.

During the Kiambaa by- election, Chama Cha Kazi (CCM) leader Moses Kuria had exchanged bitter words with the DP Gachagua, then Mathira MP.

Kuria, now Trade Minister, had fronted a candidate to contest against Ka Wanjiku of UDA, who won.

Reports indicated it took the intervention of Dr Ruto to calm the situation. Kuria backed down and withdrew his candidate.

Later when Dr Ruto was looking for a running mate, reports indicated Ndindi was among those who vehemently opposed the nomination Gachagua. Senator Kithure Kindiki, now Interior CS, was thier preferred choice.

Ndindi and his team however did not win   as Ruto finally settled on Gachagua.

To me, Ruto had made the right decision and this again demonstrated he was a well-schooled politician, a schemer who understood the game of politics very well.

Hon Gachagua was ahead of them by far.

This of terms of disseminating the agenda of Ruto in a simple language that resonated very well with people of the Mountain.

It was also unbeatable when it comes to speaking in his mother-tongue of Kikuyu.  He always electrified and charged them.

He also demonstrated a high level of courage. He would not even fear taking the battle to the doorsteps of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

I’m truth full man. I do not want to turn my back to the promise we made as a community to this great man, William Ruto. Uhuru is on record saying he will do 10 years and support Ruto to do his 10. That is where we are.

When the going got tough, he retorted. I’m a son of Mau Mau. I don’t fear anything.

Uhuru project is not going nowhere. This was in apparent reference to Raila’s candidature.

But Gachagua’s critics would allege that he was picked because he had deep pocket. I disagree! I don’t think this was the main reason.

For now, I would not expect Ndindi to have his way if he is positioning himself to elbow out the DP in Ruto succession equation.

Apart from being the senior-most leader in Mountain, Gachagua has already curved a niche of being a astute and strong defender of the economic interests of the people in this region.

Given his commitment and passion to fight for the tea, coffee and milk farmers, president Ruto recently appointed him to spearhead reforms in this sector.

Just two days after the Kiharu meeting, Ndindi came out and vehemently denied claims of plotting to clip the wings of Gachagua in Mountain.

I’m in not in war with the DP. I’m loyal to him and President William Ruto, he stated.

To me, Ndindi’s reaction seemed informed by advise he received from his allies and close associates. Waging a war with DP, you would end up being a loser. He had seen the light.

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