Joseph Mutua Ndonga
This morning I got an opportunity to listen to the Speaker of Nyeri County Assembly Gichuhi Mwangi who was being hosted by Kamau wa Kangethe of iNooro TV.
Responding to the question touching on the recent move by 48 Mount Kenya members of parliament (MPs) to ditch Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, he said the DP team was not surprised by their decision to throw their weight behind Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki.
As you are aware, these 48 MPs voted ‘Yes’ to the Finance Bill 2024 and this really showed they had not read the ground.
The GenZees came out in large numbers and forced them to rescind that ill-advised decision.
The message of Gen-Z was very clear that this country does not belong to MPs. The sovereign power lies squarely with the people of Kenya.
The Speaker further stated that the days of those holding elective positions were numbered if they did not learn any lessons from Gen-Z.
At the height of GenZ protests, media reports indicated the DP was one of the leaders sponsoring them. The DP gave his response when he addressed a parallel press in Mombasa.
He stated that he was aware that attempts were being made by security agencies to link him and former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Gen-Z protests. He however vehemently denied these claims.
A few days later, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned some of his key political allies and aides and recorded statements from them.
Back to the Speaker of Nyeri assembly, he said: I pity these MPs because of stooping too low by agreeing to be compromised after taking bribe.
After receiving the bribes they agreed to sign and release that statement.
I doubt they will ever redeem themselves. He would not however respond to the question on where money to bribe them came from and how much it was. The
Speaker described the Deputy President as the undisputed king of Mount Kenya.
The DP’s popularity in our region emanates from the fact that he is a truthful man and always listen to the ground.
He further alleged that President William Ruto could not have won 2022 presidential elections without the backing of DP Gachagua.
Dr Ruto got it right when he declined to pick Kindiki as his running mate. He picked Gachagua because he knew he was the most popular leader in our region. The DP used all cards in the book to solicit votes for him.
When he was reminded that besides MPs, Gachagua has also been deserted by majority of Mount Kenya Members of County Assembly, Tharaka and Ameru’s Njuri Ncheke elders as well as elders from Embu and Isiolo counties, the Speaker said. I agree that members of all these groupings have ditched Gachagua for Kindiki.
As I have told you, this is because all of them had been paid bribes and this resorted to being compromised. DP is not however worried because he is enjoying the support of the masses in our region.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer and Social Commentator