Anti-Gachagua MPs under fire in Mt Kenya

Some of President William Ruto’s allies from Mt Kenya are facing the wrath of voters for supporting the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The former DP’s ouster appears to have stirred widespread dissent in Mt Kenya with voters now going after ‘betrayers’.

Last week, two of Ruto’s diehards, who supported the impeachment, came face to face with the wrath of the electorates who have vowed to show them the door in the 2027 elections.

Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge on November 11 was booed while trying to address residents.

Enraged residents, mostly matatu operators, shouted down Mathenge, calling him a traitor for backing Gachagua’s removal.

Two days later, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi also faced protests from his constituents.

Some residents started a signature collection bid to recall him before 2027 polls. Wamumbi who is Gachagua’s rural MP is among lawmakers who voted to impeach Gachagua.

The first-term MP is now staring at an early exit just like Gachagua if the signature collection to recall him materialises.

The drive which started Wednesday in Karatina town seeks to raise 30 per cent of the total number of registered voters in the constituency.

This translates to 31,000 signatures of the 104, 000 registered votes in the constituency.

The process is spearheaded by Samuel Ngari from Kirimukuyu ward who alleged that the MP failed to advance their interests.

Ngari also accused Wamumbi of voting in support of the motion to remove Gachagua.

The MP is also accused of abuse of office, alleged bribery of residents during public participation on impeachment of Gachagua and firing of some employees at the constituency office without following due process.

Ngari is optimistic he will meet the 31,000 signature threshold during the December holiday when most residents are back in the village.

 “We are aware there is no IEBC at the moment but we are confident by next year the case in court will be determined and with the commission that will come, we want Wamumbi to be the first to go home,” he said.

Wamumbi has, however, brushed off the plan terming it a ploy by some individuals to silence him from speaking about issues facing coffee farmers in Mt Kenya.

The lawmaker argued that the drive is specifically aimed at stopping him from attending a meeting planned for Thursday in Karatina town.

“The hogwash going on in Karatina is to divert the attention and stop me from attending the coffee meeting.

“I will name the thieves.”

Gachagua has a strong public following and was loved for championing the region’s interest including the call for one-man one-shilling resource distribution model.

Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa said Mt Kenya is still behind Gachagua and it is just a matter of time before the former DP has the last laugh.

“No matter how heavy the trials are, remember resilience is your greatest strength. You’ve come so far and there’s a whole community behind you, rooting for your comeback,” he said.