Former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria has said the Mt Kenya region will not be affected by Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, contrary to
many Kenyans’ beliefs.
Last week, reports emerged that there were concerns in the region that the impeachment could spark conflicts.
But Wa Iria said the impeachment would give the region a
chance to start afresh and chart a different political path.
He said the region is inhabited by many communities living
in its numerous urban centres, although the dominant ones are the Gema communities.
“I hope Gachagua gets
better soon. The fights between him and his critics had to come to an end
somehow, ” he said.
The former governor, who is also Usawa Kwa Wote party leader, said
the impeachment has served as a lesson to the region to ensure it works
together with other communities for political prosperity.
“It was shocking the way people came together to vote him (Gachagua) out. Even if all MPs from the region supported, they’d still not have been enough," Wa Iria said.
Wa Iria also noted that the notion that President William
Ruto will not be re-elected in 2027 is misplaced, saying it will be impossible
for anybody to triumph over him.
He said Ruto’s decision to enjoin Raila Odinga in the broad-based government has cemented his odds, as he will enjoy the support of Odinga’s
backyard.
“Now that Gachagua has been impeached, people have been
deceived that Ruto will not win in 2027. Ruto is now working with Baba and will
get at least 10 million votes. The only two regions that will be a challenge
for him will be Eastern and Mt Kenya,” Wa Iria said.
He said the Mt Kenya region should stop living in denial
and start laying strategies that will ensure it is part of the government.
Wa Iria who served as governor for two terms before making
a stint at the presidency in 2022, said Kithure Kindiki, who has been appointed
to replace Gachagua as the deputy president represents new hope for the region.
As a son of the region, Wa Iria said Kindiki has the
capacity to unite the region and have it speaking in one voice, a feat that was
impossible for Gachagua to achieve.
He urged Kindiki to call a meeting with all local leaders to
heal the disunity and provide a platform for them to collectively chart the way
forward.
“This region has many sons and Kindiki is one of them. Whatever things have been going astray, let’s sit down with him and straighten them out."
Further, the former governor called for a ceasefire between
the government and Gachagua following his impeachment to allow the country to
move forward.
“If there are any more traps that Gachagua had set up, let
him unset them. The government should also let him be now that he has been
impeached,” he said in Murang’a town.
Last week, Wa Iria urged Gachagua to apologise to the President and admit his wrongdoings, saying he could not win the fight.