Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the “undisputed king” of the Mt. Kenya region, marking a surprising shift in rhetoric. This announcement, made during an exclusive interview on Citizen TV on Friday night, has sparked widespread discussion and is likely to reshape the political landscape of the central region of Kenya.
Gachagua’s acknowledgment comes after years of tension and public disagreements between him and Uhuru, particularly during the 2022 election campaign. At that time, Gachagua, a key ally of current President William Ruto, sharply criticized Uhuru for his decision to back Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister and presidential candidate, rather than supporting Ruto.
Political Rivalry: Gachagua vs. Uhuru
The strained relationship between Gachagua and Kenyatta began when Uhuru threw his weight behind Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, an unexpected move given that Uhuru had previously positioned himself against Odinga in the political arena. Gachagua, along with a significant portion of Mt. Kenya’s political base, was staunchly in Ruto’s camp, fiercely opposing Odinga. This split deepened the political divisions within the Mt. Kenya region, leading to sharp exchanges and a battle for influence.
As Gachagua described in his interview, he and his political allies felt betrayed by Uhuru’s sudden change in allegiance. They had long been told that Odinga was not fit for leadership, only for Uhuru to then endorse him as his successor. The ensuing campaign saw Gachagua and other leaders harshly criticize the former president for his decision, further widening the rift between Uhuru and Ruto’s supporters.
A Humbling Realization
However, Gachagua’s tone has significantly softened since the dust settled after the 2022 elections. Ruto emerged victorious, and, in a surprising turn of events, he has since extended an olive branch to Odinga, seemingly following in Uhuru’s footsteps by mending fences with the opposition leader. This change in strategy from Ruto prompted Gachagua to reassess his earlier stance on both Uhuru and Odinga.
During the Citizen TV interview, Gachagua admitted that his earlier attacks on Uhuru were unjustified. He explained that the realization came when Ruto, who had previously campaigned against Odinga, began to warm up to the idea of working with him. Gachagua noted that Ruto’s conciliatory approach mirrored Uhuru’s earlier actions, leading him to reflect on the treatment that he and the Mt. Kenya political base had meted out to the former president.
“Now that Ruto has also said Raila is a good man, that is why I apologized to Uhuru Kenyatta and his family,” Gachagua stated. “Because what he had told us is what the President has told us, we had no business fighting, disrespecting, and humiliating him.”
Uhuru Kenyatta’s Enduring Influence
Gachagua’s public apology and acknowledgment of Uhuru’s leadership signal a broader shift in the Mt. Kenya region’s political dynamics. He went on to emphasize that Uhuru remains a revered figure among the people of the mountain, declaring him the “undisputed king” of the region. Gachagua explained that in Mt. Kenya’s political culture, a leader only needs to make their position known once, and Uhuru had already made his views clear when he endorsed Raila Odinga. Therefore, according to Gachagua, Uhuru’s earlier decision should still carry weight.
“Our son Uhuru Kenyatta had pronounced himself on this matter, so that pronouncement carries the day. As we stand today, me and the mountain people are quite happy with Raila Odinga,” Gachagua said.
A New Chapter for Mt. Kenya Politics
Gachagua’s comments mark a major reconciliation between two of Mt. Kenya’s most prominent political figures. The deputy president’s apology and recognition of Uhuru’s leadership suggest that the region’s politics may be headed towards a more unified approach, with the potential for greater collaboration between different factions.
For Gachagua, this shift represents a humbling moment in his political career, as he admitted that his earlier judgment had been too harsh. His public apology and recognition of Uhuru’s influence could help heal the divisions that have plagued the region since the 2022 election, possibly ushering in a new era of cooperation within Mt. Kenya’s political leadership.
In declaring Uhuru Kenyatta as the “undisputed king of the mountain,” Gachagua has signaled that the former president’s influence remains strong and that Mt. Kenya’s political future may still be shaped by his leadership for years to come.
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