By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Political leaders from the Mount Kenya region have warned against any attempts to sideline and humiliate Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Led by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, the politicians insist they will not take lightly mistreatment targeted at the second in command.
Speaking during a church service attended by the DP, Kahiga noted there are attempts by some leaders to bring bad blood between President Ruto and the DG.
He, however, insisted that Gachagua is the DP courtesy of massive votes that the people of Mount Kenya have a joint ticket with Ruto.
“When Ruto was the Deputy President, he was shown a lot of animosity but we voted for him. We will not allow Gachagua to go through that,” said the Nyeri County boss.
“That seat was not given to him, he fought for it. We know the people who want to bring bad blood between Ruto and Gachagua,” he added.
Similar sentiments were shared by Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya who accused some of the young Mount Kenya leaders of working with those out to undermine the DP.
Gakuya singled out Kiharu’s Ndindi Nyoro and a leader from Kinyinyaga as among those involved in the plot.
He also asked digital strategist Dennis Itumbi to go slow.
Itumbi has been a key ally of President William Ruto, and he is believed to be the face behind the online presence of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The sentiments of some of the Mount Kenya leaders come at a time when there have been concerns over the relationship between the DP and Ruto.
Eyebrows were raised after Gachagua’s unusual break from the public limelight.
The DP’s last public event was last week on Sunday and had since then missed at least 11 government functions
His absence was notable during a three-day visit by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavi while opposition leader Raila Odinga and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen saw him off.
All through the three days the Ugandan President was in the country, DP Gachagua was nowhere to be seen, only for him to reappear on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at a church service in Nyeri.