- While speaking at a church service last Sunday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged Mt leaders to embrace and respect each other.
- The DP said that the unity of the region is paramount for its growth and prosperity.
Image: FILE
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has elicited debate that borders on succession politics touching on the office of the deputy president.
In a statement on X shortly after arrival in the US as part of President William Ruto’s entourage, the Council of Governors chair said the DP’s office is open for anyone with the ambition to occupy it and shouldn’t be treated as personal space.
"While we respect the office of the Deputy President, and indeed any other office of leadership, a progressive democracy does not allow us as occupiers of public leadership offices to personalise them to the extent that it becomes taboo for anyone else to nurture and express ambition to occupy them," Waiguru said.
"We hold these offices in trust not as owners. Let us recognise the right of all, especially our women and our youth to aspire to high office," she added.
The governor challenged those elected in office to offer guidance to aspiring leaders by mentoring them saying they all have a right to be ambitious and free to pursue their dreams like the current office holders dreamt and actualised their dreams.
"They too, deserve support, not hostility. Hopefully, we all seek the best for Kenya,” she said.
While speaking at a church service last Sunday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged Mt Kenya leaders to embrace and respect each other.
The DP discouraged the leaders from harbouring jealousy towards those currently elected in office.
Gachagua said that the unity of the region is paramount for its growth and prosperity.
"Our unity is our strength and let's not be used to divide our people. We should love each other and stay united," the DP said.
According to Gachgua, Mt Kenya may risk losing if they fail to unite and speak in one voice.
The DP said a lot has been happening in the Mt Kenya region and urged leaders to avoid being used to fight others.
"You should never stab your brother in the back just because he is doing better than you. Support him, as all the glory will go back to the family," Gachagua said.
He noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to serving the electorate that put them in office.
Recent political developments in Mt Kenya have pointed at what many view as a split in the region’s political unity as one faction rallied behind the Limuru III meeting while the other opposed it.
The Limuru III birthed a new Mt Kenya coalition dubbed Haki Coalition.
The coalition is made up of more than 26 political parties from the Mount Kenya region.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni said that former President Uhuru Kenyatta will be the leader of the community as he has no political ambitions.
Kioni said that the Haki Coalition will bring all the leaders of the Mt Kenya region together irrespective of party affiliations.
However, before the Limuru III meeting, Waiguru dismissed it saying it was untimely and one that would not address Mt Kenya issues.
Waiguru maintained that Mt Kenya is solidly behind President William Ruto, whom he said has the region’s interests at heart.
"The elections are over and those who lost in the contest are now trying to take the country back to elections mood when the mountain region wants delivery of services,” Waiguru said.