Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said President Willian Ruto owes the Mt Kenya region gratitude for the millions of votes he received in 2022, against retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s advice.
Gachagua told off Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah over his remarks that Mt Kenya region has not shown gratitude to President Ruto.
During the ongoing Nyanza tour by the president, Ichungwah said Nyanza region had shown more gratitude for two cabinet positions compared to Mt Kenya which was still whining despite having a DP and seven cabinet secretaries.
“Any suggestion that the mountain region has not shown gratitude to President Ruto is misleading. We stood with him to a man in the last election. We owe the people of this region gratitude by delivering the development projects we promised,” Gachagua said.
He added, “This region needs the president to complete the road projects initiated by Uhuru. We need better earnings from tea and coffee.”
DP Gachagua said while the region has several cabinet secretaries and other appointees in government, they were given on merit “because of the votes we gave President Ruto”.
Speaking at Mikumbune Methodist Church in Meru during 100 years anniversary celebrations, Mr Gachagua said Mr Ruto is the first to benefit from the region’s gratitude.
“Infact, Jaramogi Oginga stood by Jomo Kenyatta and declared no freedom without Jomo but Mt Kenya region never showed him gratitude. Raila Odinga stood with President Mwai Kibaki but we have not showed him Gratitude. We have not showed gratitude to Kalonzo Musyoka. But President Ruto stood by Uhuru Kenyatta and we stood by him,” he told the congregation.
In a veiled attack on Mr Ichungwah, the Deputy President lashed out at those he said are young leaders from the mountain who are being used to fight their own.
“I advise our young people to measure their words when they speak out there. If there are any issues, let them be sorted out among us. I have not seen young people from other regions abusing their leaders. We have cheap leaders who are given money to divide us,” Gachagua said.
He alleged that an MP from Meru was given money in dollars to lobby for the impeachment of former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.
The DP emphasised that he would now concentrate on reaching out to more friends across the country ahead of the next election.
“With the broad based government, we have learnt that politics is the art of the possible. We will never hate any leader or community because of politics. I am now seeking friendship in all regions. I have reached out to Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and others,” the DP said.
“It is my responsibility to solidify the Mt Kenya region and woo new friends. Many want to be our friends because of how we stood with President Ruto in 2022,” he added.
Mr Gachagua was accompanied by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, MPs Shadrack Mwiti (Imenti South), Dorothy Ikiara (nominated), Karambu Kailemia (Meru), Susan Ngugi (Tharaka Nithi), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara) former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi.
Senator Nyutu said while UDA members appreciate the broad based government, DP Gachagua must be respected by the new entrants from ODM.
“We are not happy because after coming into our house, we have seen MP Junet Mohamed and Governor Gladys Wanga disrespect the deputy president. We demand respect for the first wife in this government,” Nyutu said.
Murungi said while the Mt Kenya region loves the president, he should ensure they are not left out in running the government.
Linturi said DP Gachagua remains the region’s senior most leader in government and cannot be pushed out.
“We fought for this government and cannot leave. We demand respect from new friends of the government,” Linturi said.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki said the Kenya Kwanza administration should implement several pledges it made to the people of Mt Kenya.
Meanwhile, the leaders called for fasttracking of redesign of the Nithi bridge to avert fatal road accidents, following the loss of 12 lives on Saturday night.
