Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has leveled serious allegations against a faction of Mt Kenya MPs. During a recent address at Our Lady of Sorrows Baricho Catholic Parish in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, Thang’wa claimed that the recent show of support for Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki by a number of MPs is a strategic maneuver to sideline Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Thang’wa, a vocal supporter of Gachagua, suggested that the MPs’ actions are not merely about seeking better representation or addressing regional grievances but rather part of a calculated plot to undermine the Deputy President’s position. “It is their plan to unite, bring an impeachment motion, remove him from office, jail him and give positions to other people,” Thang’wa asserted. He maintained that Gachagua, who has been a significant political figure in the Mt Kenya region, will continue to be the voice of the mountain despite these efforts.
The controversy centers around the recent declaration by over 69 MPs from the Mt Kenya region in favor of CS Kindiki as a central leader. The first wave of support came from 21 MPs representing the Mt Kenya East region, who endorsed Kindiki as their primary link to the executive. This was followed by a larger group of 48 MPs, who dubbed their collective endorsement the ‘Nyandarua Declaration.’
The MPs’ rationale for rallying behind Kindiki is rooted in their frustration with perceived stagnation in regional development and stalled projects. They argue that a unified leadership could better advocate for the region’s interests and ensure a more effective lobbying process for resources and development.
Thang’wa, however, viewed these developments with skepticism. He criticized the MPs’ move as a betrayal of the trust placed in them by their constituents. According to him, this effort to centralize leadership and potentially replace Gachagua is a form of political opportunism aimed at redistributing power among the MPs themselves. “When you see parliamentarians who are given an opportunity to serve, uniting to say that if we want to speak to the president it will be through this person, that’s an abdication of duty, lack of responsibility and a vote of no confidence to the people that lead them,” Thang’wa remarked.
The senator’s comments also included a cautionary note directed at Kindiki. He warned the CS about the perils of aligning with the MPs who have previously shifted allegiance. Thang’wa referenced the case of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who was once elevated as a key figure by the same MPs but was later left isolated and politically marginalized. “Those people who are backing you right now, they did so with Ndindi Nyoro. They raised him on a pedestal and took him round the country only to leave him falling. He is still picking himself up and dusting himself off,” Thang’wa said, suggesting that Kindiki might face a similar fate.
The unfolding drama in Mt Kenya highlights a broader issue of political maneuvering and shifting allegiances that often characterize Kenya’s political environment. The ongoing power struggle within the region underscores the complexities of balancing regional development with political stability. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will impact the political fortunes of Gachagua, Kindiki, and other key players in the Mt Kenya political arena.
In summary, the accusations made by Senator Thang’wa reveal the deepening political rifts and the high stakes involved in the regional power play. The next steps taken by the MPs and their leaders could significantly influence the future political landscape of Mt Kenya, as well as the broader national political scene.
