- Ngetich said the deputy president is the principal assistant of the president and reducing himself to the position of a tribal king is shameful and uncalled for.
- He accused the DP of initiating regional agenda instead of focusing on the important issues of national unity and development.
Image: BY MATHEWS NDANYI
Activists in Rift Valley have asked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to stop divisive politics focusing on Mt Kenya and champion national unity.
They say the DP should fully back President William Ruto instead of appearing to be obsessed with politics that is targeted at making him a tribal kingpin.
The activists led by Kipkorir Ngetich from the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said the DP holds a national positions and should not use it to pursue narrow and selfish political ambitions.
“I wish to condemn in the strongest terms possible the divisive politics that is currently being driven by the deputy president in Mt Kenya. At his position, he should not be seen to push tribal-based politics that is dangerous for peace and tranquility in the country,” Ngetich said.
Ngetich said the deputy president is the principal assistant of the President and reducing himself to the position of a tribal king is shameful.
He accused the DP of initiating regional agenda instead of focusing on the important issues of national unity and development.
Other community representatives Janet Kirwa and Paul Bitok said time has come for UDA party to put its house in order and deal with errant members playing negative politics.
Ngetich said Gachagua was not holding the DP position on behalf of Mt Kenya and that he should stop misleading residents of the region to rebel against Ruto and other Kenyans.
“If the deputy president feels he has issues then he should be brave to face the President and discuss the issues rather than shamefully crying in public and retreating to tribal politics,” Ngetich said.
He said Mt Kenya leadership should be wary of politics that may isolate them from the rest of Kenyans.
Ngetich said Mt Kenya has so far produced three previous presidents for the country who won the support of all Kenyans.
He said no one should mislead the community that they can benefit more from tribal politics.
They also advised President Ruto not to ignore the rebellion within the ruling party because it was being fanned by leaders who want him to fail.
“They are now using tribalism to stir problems that are not good for the country. The President must take the earliest opportunity to restore peace and order in the ruling coalition. He should be alive to the fact that in the ruling party there are political leaders who are scheming for his down fall and rejection in the 2027,” Ngetich said.
He cautioned the President saying allowing some politicians to spit political venom and propagate political hate and tribalism was dangerous for the country.
The activists want Ruto to crack the whip in UDA and also ensure his troops in government speak with one voice.
Bitok said the DP should be man enough and resign if he is not comfortable in Ruto’s government.