Allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachugau are careful not to attack his successor, Kithure Kindiki, to avoid being involved in an alleged plot to divide the Mount Kenya region, it is now emerging.
In Gachagua's camp, there is a feeling that the elevation of Kindiki is part of a discrete scheme by state strategists to split the region into East and West ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kindiki, who hails from Mount Kenya East was swiftly sworn in to take over from Gachagua, who was hounded out of office through impeachment last month.
Gachagua’s allies have vowed to support Kindiki as Mount Kenya’s senior-most representative in government following the former’s ouster, insisting they won’t accept the region being divided.
This move is seen as a deliberate strategy to consolidate the region by projecting a united front despite furious concerns that Gachagua was unfairly kicked out of office.
Insiders in Gachagua’s camp believe that state operatives and schemers had relished a spirited and aggressive fightback from Mount Kenya West when Kindiki was installed.
Gachagua has said he will not allow his supporters to go to the streets to protest his ouster saying the region will keep calm and show their displeasure at the ballot in 2027.
“Many had hoped that I would ask my supporters to get to the streets after I was removed from office. But my people are adventurers and investors, I will not allow them to destroy their property. I have said that if they need to express themselves, then let them do so in song and dance,’’ Gachagua said in Kajiado during a church service on Sunday.
It has now emerged that with Mount Kenya already hostile to Ruto following Gachagua’s ouster, the former DP’s allies are keen to avoid falling into the trap of Mount Kenya East versus the West.
Political Commentator and University Lecturer Professor Peter Kagwanja says Gachagua’s allies have taken a tactical retreat by refusing to take Kindiki head-on.
“It is a delicate balancing act in Gachagua’s camp. Kindiki being a fellow mountaineer, comes carrying the flag of Mount Kenya East. This is the East that State House strategists are to annex for their 2027a agenda. For the Gachagua camp to attack Kindiki then that would mean helping the state house succeed,’’ Professor Kagwanja said.
“The Gachagua wing has no alternative strategy in dealing with Kindiki apart from accepting reality, learning to love and support him.’’
Lately, senior politicians from Gachagua’s camp including Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), and MPs Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Benjamin Gitaru (Embakasi Central), Gathoni Wa Muchomba (Githunguri), and Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Representative) have insisted that they have no issue with Kindiki.
They, however, argue that they have a problem with only those who scheme to divide the Mount Kenya region.
“We have no issues with Professor Kindiki. I dare say he is a nice, humble and dedicated son from Mount Kenya. We wish him well, our issue is exclusively with those using him in a divide and rule plot, those who want him submissive and with no voice for himself and us,’’ said Methu.
“Even if Kindiki called us for a consultative meeting as Mount Kenya leaders, we would go. Even if invited by Gachagua, we would also go because we do not begrudge him.”
Ngogoyo said, “Our issue is not with Kindiki…..he is a nice man and a committed leader.”
“Those of us who support Gachagua have a duty to also support Kindki as one of our own men who will be working under tough conditions of being dedicated to. Instead of hating him, we sympathise with him.’’
Nyutu said that the region must ‘’leave our son to enjoy his life as the appointed deputy president while we support our Gachagua, who is the elected deputy president.’’
“We will not interfere with Kindiki, and should start getting sidelined, we will defend him.’’
Nyutu said that as the recognised heir of the presidency, should the highest office become vacant, Kindiki presents “us with a great potential by virtue of being only a heartbeat away from ultimate power.’’
On her part, Wamuchomba said that Mount Kenya is united in respecting Kindiki but ‘’not those who have been trying hard to divide the Mountain".
“Kindiki is not the one overtaxing, dividing, insulting our clergy, or messing with the education funding model and national healthcare insurance. We won’t lose focus. We know who our problem is, and even if he hides behind Kindiki, we will circle and get at him,’’ she said.
Maina said the problem is not Kindiki per se but those who run the show behind the scenes.
“In this government, there are loyalists with the powers to be consulted, and there are those who are used when a political programme needs to be executed. Unfortunately, In Mount Kenya, Kindiki risks being one of those who are used. We must remain vigilant to demand he refuses to be weaponised,’’ Maina said.
