Gachagua tells Mt Kenya leaders to stop 'childish succession politics'

By Peter Ochieng

Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua is calling for a stop to what he terms as 'childish politics of succession' in Mt Kenya.

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) are backing Kiharu legislature Ndindi Nyoro to be nominated as president William Ruto's running mate in 2027 in place of Gachagua, before going for the top seat in 2032.

Still, there are those who feel that the position of running mate and (DP) from 2027 should be occupied by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki.

However, Gachagua wants leaders in Mt Kenya to tone down on succession politics, and instead concentrate on delivering their mandate.

Speaking during a meeting with Nyandarua Members of County Assembly (MCAs) at his Karen residence in Nairobi, the second in command insisted that the current focus should be on addressing critical challenges facing Kenyans, including economic issues.

“Let us not be transfixed with childish politics of succession, of elections. We have barely come from elections, one and a half years. People want services. Let us refrain from politics,” he said.

On January 19th, Gachagua said those seeking to divide the people of Central Kenya will fail miserably.

“Those scheming to divide the region should know that the people of Mt Kenya are intelligent and are aware of what is happening."

“Those seeking to divide us are enemies of the region. Our relevance in national leadership lies on our unity. We know what disunity and divisive politics in 1992 and 1997 elections did.”

The DP pledged to continue spearheading the war against alcohol and drug abuse in Central Kenya.

"We must win the fight against illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse to save our generation. And for this war to succeed and be sustained, there must be proper legal frameworks," he stated.

The MCAs shared with him the new Nyandarua County Alcoholic Drinks Act, 2023 they have enacted, to provide structural support to ending illicit brew in the devolved unit.

It is not clear whether Gachagua will be Ruto's running mate in 2027.

The constitution does not bar him from replacing Gachagua, provided he does so before or during presidential nominations.

Reportedly, majority of Mt Kenya MPs wanted Ruto to nominate Kindiki as his running mate, before he settled on Rigathi Gachagua.