Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, January 29 night met top officials of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the wake of vicious succession politics especially in the Mt Kenya region.
The closed-door meeting took place at Gachagua’s official residence in Karen Nairobi, where he drummed up support for the UDA party.
He stated that his intention was to build a strong political party formed on ideologies which will drive the development agenda of the nation.
“In our party, the United Democratic Alliance, we are setting the pace in inculcating issue-driven politics. This is through robust democratic structures buttressed on frequent consultations and exchange of ideas,” he said.
Members present during the closed-door meeting included National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’a and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot.
Others were UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Secretary General Cleophas Malalah, Vice Chairman Hassan Omar, Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi, and the Organizing Secretary Vincent Musyoka Kawaya.
Mt Kenya Kingpin Woes
Weighing in on the kingpin issues surrounding leaders of the Mt Kenya region, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba said the only way one can become kingpin is through dedication to serving the people and ensuring their welfare is safeguarded.
Also Read: Ruto Gives Directive on Nyoro & Gachagua Kingpin Debate
“You can only become a kingpin or a queen pin through your dedication to serve and ability to take a bullet for the sake of the welfare of your countrymen,” Wamuchomba said on X.
Her remarks come amidst an ongoing succession battle over who should take over the leadership of Mt Kenya Region in 2027.
A few weeks ago, a section of Mt Kenya leaders called on President William Ruto to consider having Ndindi Nyoro deputize him in 2027.
Similarly, UDA leaders and close supporters of the President from Central Kenya and Mount Kenya East have also officially endorsed their own to succeed Gachagua as Ruto’s deputy in 2027.
The MPs from Mt Kenya East are endorsing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, while the MPs from Central Kenya, primarily from Murang’a, are uniting around Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
UDA Postpones Grassroot Elections
President William Ruto postponed UDA grassroots elections after holding a meeting with the National Steering Committee of the party.
According to a statement by UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, the party’s elections were rescheduled from December 9, 2023, to April 12, 19, and 26 2024 in three clusters.
Also Read: Gachagua Calls for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Ending Insecurity
Upon the postponement of the elections the secretary general stated that a comprehensive timetable delineating the county clusters will be made available at a later date.
“We encourage all aspirants to continue with their registration, which will remain open until 6:00 pm on March 22, 2024,” Malala noted then.
The postponement of elections came amid internal wrangles at the party over supremacy between party officials.
