The ongoing supremacy battle in the Mt Kenya region has sparked a debate, especially regarding the political future of Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua at a previous event publicly asked former President Uhuru Kenyatta for forgiveness and admitted that he is ready to work with him to unite the people of Mt Kenya.
His sentiment came a few days after the Limuru III meeting, which publicly endorsed Uhuru as the kingpin of the region.
However, the DP is facing opposition from a section of Mt Kenya leaders allied to President William Ruto, including Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kirinyanga Governor Anne Waiguru, Public Service CS Moses Kuria, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
Additionally, Gachagua has met rebellion from politicians allied to the Azimio Coalition led by Narc party leader Martha Karua and Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni.
These politicians have publicly gone against Gachagua on various issues, including the ‘one man one vote one shilling’ and unity of the region.
Speaking in Eldoret on May 25, the DP blamed a section of politicians from the Rift Valley region of orchestrating the political rivalry in Mt Kenya.
Gachagua said the politicians who are close to President William Ruto have started 2032 succession campaigns and plans in his backyard.
“The problem is a few leaders from this region (Rift Valley) who have proximity to the president. These leaders are the ones disrupting politics in our region, misleading people to start planning for 2032 prematurely, “he said.
What Limuru III Means to Gachagua
Therefore, who is behind the ongoing political war in the Mountain?
Political analysts who spoke to The Kenya Times have contributed to this debate, with some of them stating that President Ruto, his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga might be the masterminds behind Gachagua’s nightmares.
Political Analyst Maimuna Mwidau referenced the Limuru I, Limuru II, and the recent Limuru III meetings to describe how they have alienated Gachagua from the region’s politics.
Mwidau explained that Limuru I and II resulted in landmark decisions that brought the Mt Kenya region together and shaped national politics.
Also Read: Aukot Slams Raila and Kalonzo, Exposes Their Tactics
She stated that Limuru II allowed for the transition of power from Late President Mwai Kibaki to Uhuru and ensured the region remained united in the 2013 and 2017 elections.
“Limuru II was about the transition of leadership, and they chose Uhuru to spearhead the region and form alliances with others in the country,” Mwidau said.
“Limuru III was earlier supposed to convene (but did not happen) and pass on the baton to the next Mt Kenya kingpin, and Rigathi was not part of the mix. This created a vacuum in which UDA swept in.”
Uhuru Still Kingpin
The analyst said the latest Limuru III again failed to name the region’s kingpin, which meant that Uhuru remains the region’s leader.
She reasoned that the meeting focused on the economic hardships facing the region and the ‘one man one vote one shilling’ formula instead.
“The baton has not been passed; Uhuru is further elevating to head the Haki coalition, meaning he still remains the leader of the mountain, and Rigathi has no mantle despite being the number two in the country. Therefore, the rivalry between Uhuru and Ruto continues,” Mwidau said.
Raila, Uhuru & Ruto
According to Mwidau, Ruto working together with Raila could directly imply that Uhuru’s relationship with the president has changed for the better.
“However, if Baba and Ruto are now reading from the same script, then Uhuru could also be reading the same script. If that is the case, then the odd one out here is Rigathi,” she said.
“As you may know, politics is about interests. If the three major players are aligned, then it’s just a matter of time before we see new alignments in place.”
Also Read: Gachagua Accuses Ruto’s Allies of Fighting Him
Mt Kenya Rivalry Masterminds
Governance expert and political analyst Javas Arafat Bigambo said Ruto and Uhuru could be the masterminds behind the ongoing political war in the Mt Kenya region.
Bigambo explained that Gachagua might not be Ruto’s running mate in the next general elections due to the ongoing rivalry in Mt Kenya region.
“But it is now easy to see that he may not be Ruto’s running mate in 2027. He is exposing himself as a political wolf, which easily doesn’t make for statesmanship. No doubt, Ruto and Uhuru are key clandestine players, and they both may not end up in Rigathi’s corner,” Bigambo said.
DP Has Been Tricked
He emphasized that Gachagua has been tricked into starting early campaigns in Central Kenya, which is currently dominated by President Ruto.
According to Bigambo, the DP needs to conquer the Mt Kenya region without directly fighting his boss.
“Rigathi has been deceived, like Biblical Eve, to eat the forbidden fruit of showing early ambition to capture central Kenya and aspire to the presidency when the day is still young in the calendar of Kenya Kwanza. He is flying too close to the sun by assuming that facing off with President Ruto won’t be too hot for him,” he said.
Additionally, he explained that Gachagua must also become a national figure and advocate for the needs of all Kenyans, not only those in the Mt Kenya region.
Bigambo said the DP has been distracted by the rise of Nyoro, CS Kuria, and other leaders and is not focused on his political future.
“He is not doing much to earn the trust and respect of all Mt Kenya leaders, even those whose respect and loyalty he is yet to earn,” he said.
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