The political landscape in the Mt Kenya region is undergoing a significant shift as 48 MPs from the area have endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their preferred kingpin. This endorsement poses a fresh challenge to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s ongoing efforts to consolidate his position as the de facto political leader of Mt Kenya.
Since the 2022 general elections, Gachagua has actively sought to succeed retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the region’s leader. He has positioned himself as the voice of Mt Kenya within the government, emphasizing unity and development. However, the recent backing of Kindiki by a large section of Mt Kenya leaders threatens to complicate Gachagua’s ambitions and may further deepen divisions within the region’s political landscape.
The MPs, in a statement on Thursday, declared their allegiance to Kindiki, stating that they saw him as the appropriate link between the Mt Kenya region and the national government. “We, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our behalf and that of our people, unanimously resolve that our link to the National government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Prof Kithure Kindiki, whose responsibilities include the coordination of National government functions across the Country,” the MPs stated.
This development is the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Gachagua and Kindiki, which dates back to their competition to become President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 polls. After intense negotiations, Ruto chose Gachagua for the position, while Kindiki was appointed to the Interior docket once Ruto assumed office. The rivalry, which had appeared to settle, has now been reignited with Kindiki’s recent endorsement as the region’s kingpin.
Deputy President Gachagua has responded to these challenges by urging the people of Mt Kenya to remain united. He has frequently highlighted the need for communal solidarity, drawing comparisons to other Kenyan communities like the Luo, Kalenjin, and Kamba, where leaders are respected and supported by their communities. In a recent statement made in Meru, Gachagua lamented that “there was a scheme by political forces to divide the Mt Kenya” and called on the region to emulate the unity seen in other parts of the country.
However, the endorsement of Kindiki appears to have found favor among certain influential leaders within the region who have accused Gachagua of divisive politics. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, prominent critics of Gachagua, attended the meeting where Kindiki was endorsed. Ichung’wah accused Gachagua of isolating Mt Kenya from the rest of the country through what he termed selfish politics of antagonism. He further criticized Gachagua for undermining reforms in crucial sectors such as tea, coffee, and milk, which are vital to the region’s economy.
Despite these challenges, Gachagua has continued to push forward with his agenda, including implementing reforms as outlined in President Ruto’s Executive Order No. 1 of January 2023. He recently played a key role in resolving an impasse at the Mombasa Tea Auction, which had caused a significant stockpile of tea in warehouses, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the region’s economic well-being.
As the battle for Mt Kenya’s political leadership intensifies, the endorsement of Kindiki as the kingpin could mark a turning point. It raises questions about the region’s political future and the potential for further fragmentation. For Gachagua, the path ahead may require not only reaffirming his leadership credentials but also bridging the growing divide within Mt Kenya’s political ranks. The stakes are high, and the coming months will be critical in determining whether Gachagua can maintain his grip on the region or if Kindiki will rise as the new face of Mt Kenya’s leadership.
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