Rigathi’s call for unity of Mount Kenya a move in right direction

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• It is worth to recall that during the campaigns Rigathi Gachagua led the onslaught against the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta for allegedly failing to groom the leaders who would represent and articulate the interests of the Mt Kenya people once he is out of office.
• This matter, however, elicited mixed reactions. For the allies of Kenyatta, who were drawn from this region, the idea of nurturing and grooming new leaders topped the list of his priority.
• Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua were the notable figures that President Uhuru had fronted and believed they can fit in his shoes.

A few days ago, I listened to the remarks the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made in Meru during the burial of daughter of Igamba MP. In what was seen as taking a swipe at former President Uhuru Kenyatta, he stated. We, the people of Mount Kenya, were caught off-guard in the elections held on August 9 this year.

I want to assure you this will not happen again. As a deputy president, I owe a lot to the people of this region because they are the ones who elevated to this position.

So, apart from discharging my national duties, I have the responsibility to champion their diverse aspirations and interests. To achieve this, the first step is to ensure our leaders are speaking in one voice.

We have so many promising young leaders in our region but what is missing is goodwill. I’m ready to provide leadership of mentoring and uniting them.

You saw what happened in parliament the other day. I lobbied Kenya Kwanza MPs from our region to support the candidature of former Kieni MP Kanini Kega for East Community Legislative Assembly [EALA] seat and he won.

I did this while knowing that during the campaigns he was one of our key opponents and he even used to insult me. Attempts had been made to deny Mt Kenya a seat in EALA but we thwarted the plot. In Kenya Kwanza, we did the same. Out of 9 seats, Mt Kenya got two slots.

I can see our sister Sabina Chege is also seated there. MP Ndindi Nyoro, a son of mau mau, is also here. These leaders carry the agenda and vision of the mountain.  For those in Azimio, we welcome to join the Kenya Kwanza government.

It is worth to recall that during the campaigns Rigathi Gachagua led the onslaught against the outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta for allegedly failing to groom the leaders who would represent and articulate the interests of the Mt Kenya people once he is out of office.

This matter, however, elicited mixed reactions. For the allies of Kenyatta, who were drawn from this region, the idea of nurturing and grooming new leaders topped the list of his priority.

Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua were the notable figures that President Uhuru had fronted and believed they can fit in his shoes.

The people of the Mountain, however, rebelled against him and the main reason was because he was supporting the candidature of Raila Odinga, the Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate.

Selling Raila in Mt Kenya is like selling pork in Saudi Arabia. We have told you this many times and you have been ignoring us, insisting that Raila is the most suitable candidate and you were looking forward to pass the baton to him.

Bear this in mind. We have the votes in our pockets. So, leave this matter to us. We will elect the person we want.  You cannot force us to vote Raila.

For now, Gachagua’s plan can work because of two reasons. First when talking to his people of Mt Kenya, he will not mention the name of Raila. If he has, it will in a negative way.

Secondly, the DP is reaching out to all the leaders of the mountain. At this point, the issue of which political coalition they belong to does not matter. The campaign is over.  Let us start talking because we have a common agenda of uniting our people and championing their interests.

I have been listening to Gachagua’s critics. They allege that he cannot be relied to unite the community because of his previous ‘bad record’. To me, these claims do hold any water. Give us evidence? Again, no leader is 100 percent perfect. People change. Gachagua of today sounds a person ready to walk the talk.

I hail from Muranga County and my wish is to see this region speak in one voice. I wish the DP well.