Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru MP and Embakasi North counterpart James Gakuya at State House on November 12, 2024./PCSEmbakasi North MP James Gakuya and his Embakasi Central counterpart Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk are the two notable figures present when President William Ruto hosted MPs from Nairobi county.
The two are former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s key allies and have never shied from publicly expressing their support for him.
They have been common in his public meetings in parts of the Mt Kenya region.
It was not unclear if matters of politics, especially the recent developments surrounding the impeachment of Gachagua, were discussed during the Tuesday meeting held at State House.
A brief statement to newsrooms stated that the president convened the meeting to discuss the progress of the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River.
He is also said to have urged the city leaders to avoid politics and focus on development matters.
“He urged them to shun politics and support the projects that will change the face of status of the capital city,” it reads.
Also present were Principal Secretaries Raymond Omollo (Interior), Julius Korir (Water) and Nixon Korir (Lands) among others.
Speaking last Sunday, Donk reaffirmed their support for Gachagua saying he would continue to stand behind Gachagua and no amount of intimidation will make him change his stance.
“We must continue to stay as friends. During the impeachment, many people were telling him to resign so that he could get a chance to contests in 2027 but I told him to stay put,” he said.
He was also optimistic that Gachagua would be justice in court.
Gakuya and Donk had on July 31 questioned by detectives over alleged involvement in the anti-tax protests that rocked the country.
Addressing the press after being released, Gakuya termed it as a witchhunt which he demanded should end noting the protests were organic.
“Anybody with any evidence, any fact, of whatever misdeed we did, should come very clear and tell us this particular day we financed this or mobilized that…these are the things they should table,” said Gakuya.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against them.
