Gachagua rubbishes ‘childish’ succession politics, tells ‘confused’ Mt. Kenya leaders to focus on service delivery

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cautioned elected leaders from Mt. Kenya region against engaging in succession politics merely a year and a half after the Kenya Kwanza administration took over the reins at State House, labelling the political maneuvering as childish.

Speaking in Karen when he met Nyandarua MCAs on Tuesday, DP Gachagua emphasised the importance of elected leaders prioritizing service delivery rather than delving into succession politics, further asserting that those in office should focus on fulfilling their responsibilities to the public.

The DP further stated that elected officials ought to make concerted efforts to empower local youth, thereby essentially expanding their voter basket for upcoming polls.

"Those who want to lead, hawa vijana wakikufa mtaongoza nani? Kam kwanza tuokoe generation. Then unaeza jipanga nao huko mbele. If these young people wamepoteza vitambulisho, wanalala kwa mtaro...wewe unataka kuongoza...utaongoza nani? There will be nobody to lead," said Gachagua.

"Let us not be transfixed with childish politics of succession. We have barely come from elections...one and a half years...people want service...kuhudumiwa, kujua mambo ya barabara, ukulima, stima, maziwa. Sasa mambo ya uchaguzi ni ya nini? Tuwachane na hiyo maneno, I want to appeal to everybody and more so in our region where people look a little bit confused."

The DP subsequently rallied elected leaders, urging them to set aside their differences and work together for the greater good of Kenyans.

"Let us focus on service delivery and we want this region to be united under President William Ruto the way tulikubaliana, tuunge yeye mkono, tuwache mambo mingi na tufanyie wakenya kazi," he said.

Gachagua's sentiments come after different sections of leaders from the Mt. Kenya region seemingly kicked off a campaign to replace him as President Ruto’s running mate in the next General Election.

They accuse the DP of failing to address issues facing the region, for instance initiating the much needed reforms in the coffee and tea sectors.

They further assert that the DP been unsuccessful in uniting the Mt. Kenya region and should pave way for fresh blood.

One section wants him replaced with Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, while yet another has now thrown Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki’s name in the ring.

“Let me say for the avoidance of doubt, I have only one focus as Gachagua, I am focused on one thing; assisting President William Ruto to succeed...hii ingine wengine wanafuata mambo mengine, mimi siko hapo...hata mpige kelele gani,” he stated last week.

The intriguing deputy presidential succession talk is the first such political discourse about a sitting number two since the 1989 dramatic ouster of Vice President Josephat Karanja through a similar regionally fronted initiative.