Mount Kenya leaders defend DP Gachagua

By Robert Mutasi

Mount Kenya leaders have thrown their weight behind embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against any attempts to impeach him.

Murang'a County Senator Joe Nyutu, who has been leading this charge, maintained that Gachagua represents a seat that guarantees regional representation in the national government.

The Senator made the remarks during an interview with Citizen TV on Thursday, September 26, 2024. According to Nyutu, Gachagua plays a very critical role in keeping Mount Kenya relevant within the Government of President William Ruto.

"The Deputy President is the one who is in office now and the people of Mount Kenya feel directly represented by him in government," Nyutu said.

"If you kick him out, the people of this region will feel that you have kicked the mountain out of government and that their votes are no longer valued."

Nyutu's remarks come amid political tensions following reports of dissatisfaction within the ruling coalition on the leadership style of the Deputy President.

The Mount Kenya bloc has dug in, arguing that the implications would also be political for the region, should the impeachment sail through. 

Some lawmakers are reported to have supported Gachagua's removal from office. 

DP Gachagua has been at the center of ensuring Mount Kenya, which gave the lion's share of votes to President Ruto in the 2022 general election, retains influence in national governance.

He warned them that it might be political suicide to marginalize this region.

"It is unanimous in the Mount Kenya region that DP Gachagua should not be impeached," Nyutu asserted. 

"They do not support the legislators pushing for this move. The region wants the partnership between President Ruto and Gachagua to continue until at least 2027." Nyutu added.

Gachagua was the linchpin of the 2022 campaigns in mobilizing voters from Mount Kenya region. 

Any instability in that relationship could see far-reaching repercussions in political circles, not just at the administration level but also in future electoral dynamics.

Mount Kenya leaders have warned that an impeachment would be seen as a betrayal of the region's political capital, thus solidifying their support for Deputy President Gachagua.

This is a show of solidarity that implies any effort to oust Gachagua will be fiercely resisted, at least from his Mount Kenya base.