Ndindi Nyoro is popular than Gachagua - UDA Senator

By Peter Ochieng

A Senator elected on the ruling United Democtratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket now claims Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Samson Ndindi Nyoro is popular than deputy president Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua within Mt. Kenya region.

According to Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, president William Ruto should drop Gachagua and nominate Nyoro as his running mate, if he harbours any ambitions of getting re-elected in 2027.

"Nobody has said UDA is not intact or disrespected DP Gachagua. What we are saying is that we need to win the election in 2027 and to do that, we need to carry out nominations to establish the most popular candidate," said Senator Nyutu while appearing on Citizen TV's Day Break Show on Thursday.

"If President Ruto wants to win the 2027 elections, he needs to go with the most popular running mate. MP Ndindi Nyoro is more popular than DP Rigathi Gachagua on the ground," he added.

However, nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda in response to Nyutu said his discussion about Gachagua and Nyoro is based on feelings.

"It is unfortunate that Senator Joe Nyutu’s discussion about DP Gachagua and Ndindi Nyoro is based on feelings and popularity. Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka are popular, and if leadership and governance were about that, they would have been presidents," she stated.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo on the other hand accused Gachagua of destroying his own people, making him unpopular in Central.

"The people of the mountain have a problem with DP Gachagua because he is destroying them (his own people). He is targeting Justice Esther Maina and yet he had an opportunity to appeal against her judgment."

Some politicians in Murang'a county have reportedly endorsed Nyoro's 2032 presidential bid.

Before then, they want the MP nominated Ruto's running mate in 2027, owing to what they term as his impressive track-record.

The calls have seemingly irked the second in command.

“Nyinyi vijana, Ruto amechaguliwa juzi, mwaka moja, he has nine years to go...you are talking about succeeding him, mnataka kurithi mzee akiwa hai? Surely, you young people, what is wrong with you? President has been elected, ati sijui ni huyu ata succeed yeye in 2032, this is kukosa respect to the people,” said Gachagua recently.

He said he has no other agenda apart from making sure that he assists president Ruto to succeed, in the economic transformation of this country.