President Ruto's Hand in Kindiki's Coronation: Kes. 9 Million Used to Counter Gachagua's Mount Kenya Influence
President William Ruto reportedly spent Ksh 9 million to sponsor a meeting in Nyahururu, where a group of UDA MPs endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki as the new regional link to the executive. This move is seen as a direct effort to counter Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's influence in the Mount Kenya region, following rumors of Gachagua forming an alliance with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka. The endorsement has ignited a fierce political battle, with Gachagua’s allies vehemently opposing Kindiki’s coronation and reaffirming Gachagua as the region’s kingpin.
Recent developments in the Kenyan political landscape reveal a simmering power struggle within the Mount Kenya region. President William Ruto appears to be maneuvering to curtail the growing influence of his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, amid reports of a possible political realignment involving Gachagua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
According to reports from Citizen Weekly, President Ruto sponsored a meeting in Nyahururu attended by several UDA MPs to endorse Interior Cabinet Secretary Professor Kithure Kindiki as the new link between the Mount Kenya region and the executive. The meeting, reportedly financed by Ksh 9 million from State House, was seen as a move to counter Gachagua’s dominance in the region. The MPs at the Nyahururu gathering openly denounced the Deputy President and declared Kindiki as the preferred regional spokesperson.
Inset: Citizen Weekly's expose on the Uhuru - Rigathi reconciliation talks.
This strategic move by the President is said to be in response to reports of a growing alliance between Gachagua and his former political adversary, Uhuru Kenyatta. In recent weeks, Gachagua has publicly reconciled with Kenyatta, with speculation that they are seeking to revive the once-powerful GEMA (Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba) alliance to strengthen their political base.
Inset: DP Righathi Gachagua (Left), Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Nyahururu endorsement of Kindiki has sparked a sharp divide among the Mount Kenya political class. Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, a close ally of Gachagua, led a faction of MPs in denouncing the move, reaffirming Gachagua as the region’s kingpin. The mounting tensions culminated in a heated exchange over the weekend, with Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, a key figure in the Nyahururu meeting, subtly calling for Gachagua’s ouster during a church event.
The growing rivalry between President Ruto and his Deputy raises questions about the future of the UDA party and the leadership of the Mount Kenya region. While the President and his Deputy publicly maintain that all is well between them, the political barbs exchanged through their respective lieutenants suggest otherwise. This internal battle could significantly shape the region’s influence in national politics as both leaders vie for supremacy.
The unfolding political drama indicates that the battle for Mount Kenya's loyalty is far from over, with both sides digging in for what promises to be a long and contentious struggle. Whether Gachagua’s alliance with Uhuru will reshape the region's political dynamics or President Ruto’s support for Kindiki will fracture Gachagua’s support base remains to be seen.
What's Your Reaction?
