Gachagua to Ruto: Forget Mt Kenya votes in 2027
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Inset is President William Ruto.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told President William Ruto to forget about getting the support of Mt Kenya voters in 2027, saying the region never forgives betrayal.
Speaking in an interview with Inooro TV on Sunday, Gachagua reckons that ahead of 2027 polls, the region is keen to open talks with the likes of Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Governor George Natembeya to secure a place in the next government.
"Mt Kenya votes will never go to anyone cheaply. Come rain come sunshine, our votes will never make us slaves again. Of all the possibilities, Mt Kenya will not be with Ruto in 2027," he said.
He added: "Mt Kenya will not walk the same political journey with those among us who are working with President Ruto to split us...The communities that want to partner with us for 2027 are many. President Ruto is getting isolated..."
Dr Ruto won the presidential election in 2022 with his running mate Gachagua becoming DP. However, relations between the two leaders soured after just two years in office.
President Ruto rallied his loyalists in Parliament to impeach Mr Gachagua, leading to his removal from office on October 17. Prof Kithure Kindiki was then sworn in on November 1 to replace him as Deputy President.
Now out of power, the former DP is riding the wave of anti-Kenya Kwanza discontent sweeping across the region.
But even as he does this, President Ruto is moving to make peace with the "restless" Mountain. For instance, in the latest strategy, he met with his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, with whom he fell out after he sidelined him by backing opposition leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor.
However, on Sunday, Gachagua dismissed the talks between the duo as having no bearing in Mt Kenya’s political discourse.
"Kenyatta, our king, knows that Mt Kenya never takes orders from anyone. The area people decide and order their leaders where to go. Kenyatta's talks with President Ruto are their own private affairs. Mt Kenya has moved on. No level of intimidation, persecution and atonement tricks by President Ruto will work. Mt Kenya treats betrayal as an unforgivable sin," Mr Gachagua said.
