The replacement of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in case his impeachment is upheld by the Senate, has taken a fresh twist with more names floated.
The DP’s fate now lies with the Senate which will hear his proposed impeachment on Wednesday and Thursday.
The National Assembly impeached Gachagua last Tuesday over allegations of corruption and undermining the government, among others.
The Star has established that lobbying has intensified with several politicians being touted as Gachagua’s possible replacement should he be sent packing.
Among the politicians from the Mt Kenya region whose names have been floated to State House, include Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
The former Runyenjes MP is also serving as the national chairperson of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party having succeeded founding chairman Johnson Muthama.
Insiders say Mbarire is being considered as a compromise choice to take over from Gachagua because of her past experience having joined politics in 2002.
Mbarire is among the frontrunners because of her fluency in Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru languages. She has previously served as nominated MP between 2002 and 2007 and later as Runyenjes MP from 2007 to 2013.
Mbarire also served as a nominated MP between 2017 and 2022 before she was elected Embu governor in 2022.
The entry of Mbarire’s name could throw the Gachagua’s replacement battle wide open with more names said to be among those being considered.
Mbarire who hails from Embu, a region that straddles both the Mt Kenya West and East, could complicate chances of the bigwigs who have been fronted.
Before Mbarire’s name was fronted, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was seen as the favourite for the seat having lost to Gachagua in the 2022 selection process.
“Cecily is among those being considered as a comprise candidate for the DP’s position given her command in Kikuyu, Embu and Meru languages. She also strands both East and West,’’ a source aware of the latest intrigues said.
Other names said to be considered for the DP position from the Mt Kenya region include Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah is also said to have been shortlisted for the position should the Senate decide to send Gachagua home.
There are also reports that the president could look beyond Mt Kenya when picking Gachagua’s replacement as part of his strategy to consolidate the country.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi is also being considered as a potential candidate given his past experience.
Insiders have also lined up Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga as a wild card in the delicate matrix to replace Gachagua.
Wanga, who was recently elevated to be the national chairperson of Raila Odinga’s ODM party, is an influential figure within the Orange Party circles.
Raila is currently working closely with President Ruto after releasing five of his allies to join the Cabinet including Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi and Beatrice Askul.