Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is crafting a meticulous game plan to position himself as President William Ruto's successor in 2032.
Gachagua, who has been the target of some Kenya Kwanza leaders seeking to topple him, has skilfully crafted a plan to place him ahead of the pack after 2027 if his boss is reelected.
His approach is geared towards not only securing Mt Kenya's support, but also positioning himself as a unifying factor in the region.
The DP is keen on uniting the region and bringing all leaders together to mitigate potential rebellions that could jeopardise his influence.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is one of the ambitious leaders being egged on by some leaders from the region as Ruto's successor.
He has started traversing the country to popularise himself, something that has unsettled Gachagua and his camp.
Nyoro has not publicly stated his intentions, but observers view his recent moves as tactical.
Feeling the heat of the current political turmoil in his backyard, the DP was recently forced to comment on the matter, saying he is not interested in the talk and the battle for kingpin.
"I do not have time for that kingpin nonsense, I don't have that time because I am very busy. I chair Cabinet committees on behalf of the President, every week I have meetings for seven hours with the Cabinet," he said in Kiambu on November 5.
"Those who have been elected on UDA and Kenya Kwanza ticket need to focus on development. They should mind their utterances. When some of them are on TV they get excited and start speaking garbage."
Aware of the obstacles on his way, Gachagua has devised strategies to help him remain afloat amid the rising political temperatures.
By securing the support of Ruto and quelling endorsement manoeuvres by certain regional leaders, he seems to have strengthened his grip on the region.
Speaking in Gilgil, Nakuru, the head of state, however, said leaders should focus on developing the country in their respective roles.
Ruto said it is an insult to Kenyans for leaders to debate 2027 succession politics.
"Starting with me, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua [and] all the leaders, you have given us a chance to work for you. I want to assure you that we shall do the work diligently. It will be a great problem if we do not deliver," he said.
"Riggy G and I have a plan and we said we shall mentor the young men, but they should move with caution. They should not push us too much because if they do so, they will spoil things. To the young leaders, do not be in a hurry, we are ready to mentor you. We are different.”
Central to his approach has been the consolidation of support and the eradication of dissent within Mt Kenya.
Last October, Gachagua revealed plans to hold talks with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta who still wields massive political influence.
“We will unite our region, Mount Kenya, so that we speak with one voice,” he said.
“Uhuru was fronting Raila Odinga for the presidency but he lost, we have [now] decided to embrace him as our respectable son and statesman," the DP said during an interview.
Gachagua said, as leaders from the region, they have decided to stop fighting the former President, saying "I have asked everyone to accord him respect and I am glad he has also been peaceful.”
The DP is keen to foster unity and solidify his rapport with Ruto through these strategic meetings with MPs, including the most recent one with Nyandarua leaders.
“Consultation with leaders is key in identifying priority areas in development,” he said.
“This afternoon, I held a working lunch with Members of Parliament from Kiambu county at the official residence in Karen, Nairobi. Our discussions were centred on development projects and programmes.”
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungw'ah, who is considered one of the influential figures in the region, was in attendance.
The DP's efforts to unite leaders, even those who initially opposed him, have been instrumental in fortifying his bid.
Gachagua has adopted an early and aggressive campaign strategy, extending his engagements to leaders from different regions.
He has previously met those from Coast, Nyanza and Rift valley.
“We agreed on continuous engagements with the legislators and, indeed, leaders from all parts of the country irrespective of political or any other affiliation,” the DP said after meeting some ODM 'rebels' early last year.
On his political relationship with various leaders, including his rivals, Gachagua appears to have toned down attacks against them.
He is strategically avoiding antagonistic actions toward key figures such as the Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Uhuru.
The DP is endearing himself to Mt Kenya residents, particularly Jubilee supporters, who still hold sway under Uhuru's influence.
The second in command has previously taken Raila and other Azimio leaders head-on, accusing the ODM chief of pushing for a handshake in President Ruto’s government.
Political analyst Mark Bichache said Gachagua is in a very tight spot, because even the government he is serving is currently unpopular.
"Those who should be supporting him are against him," he said.
Bichache said strategies the DP is employing such as reducing attacks against his political foes are survival tactics that might not help.
Gachagua, he said, needs to find a way of doing what Uhuru did in 2007 when he shelved his political ambition and supported President Mwai Kibaki.
"He needs to find a way of endearing himself to the leaders that the Kikuyu community already respect and not appear to be abrasive," he said.
Bichache believes Ruto is behind Nyoro's bold overtures.
