Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday warned the populous Mt Kenya that it risks losing the Deputy President position, currently held by Prof Kithure Kindiki, should the region abandon President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 re-election.
Mr Mudavadi urged the region to remain behind Dr Ruto, observing that it has continued to benefit more under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
President Ruto picked Prof Kindiki to replace Mr Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached as the Deputy President, with hopes that the former Interior Cabinet Secretary would help him rally the vote-rich region behind his administration.
But the region – a key plank in Dr Ruto’s 2022 election – appears to be drifting away, forcing the President to start making inroads in opposition leader Raila Odinga’s bastions of Nyanza and Western.
Observers reckon that should President Ruto lose the Mt Kenya voting bloc, he would largely be depending on Mr Odinga’s vote basket.
This they observe would likely influence the ticket, adding that the many trips to the western side of the country could also be intended to shop for the next running mate.
Some of Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials are already angling to be Dr Ruto’s running mate in the next election. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has since been mentioned as a potential running mate from Nyanza.
Mr Mudavadi – who recently folded his Amani National Congress (ANC) party to join President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is also being mentioned as a potential running mate.
Speaking at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Othaya, Nyeri County, Mr Mudavadi while urging the region to play their cards well by backing Dr Ruto, said many people are eyeing the second-in-command position.
“I want to appreciate the leaders from here (Mt Kenya) you are solid but if you continue playing and let it slip, we want it and we will take it. A bird in hand is better than 10 in the bush. Hold on to what you have, take it seriously. There are Kenyans out there who wish they had a fraction of what you have,” said Mr Mudavadi.
“I want to encourage you when you have an opportunity of this nature and you are working with a president who has a lot of faith in the people of this region, don’t waste the opportunity, take it seriously. Work with him, work with other Kenyans and that is where we stand.”
He made the remarks even as Prof Kindiki, who was speaking separately, said that the region would not be distracted by premature political bickering in reference to the opposition camp led by Mr Gachagua.
Speaking on Sunday when he graced the Economic Empowerment meeting at Igegania in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, Prof. Kindiki said being focused on service delivery is not a show of political cowardice.
“Some are saying we get into political tussling for the 2027 elections. We are not interested in that. We have a test coming for us and we will be asked questions on completion of development projects and what we have done to make the lives of the people better,” the DP said.
Prof Kindiki said when the time comes they will be fully ready for a face-to-face battle with their opponents but presently will remain undistracted and focused on serving the people.
He said the government has a lot to show for what it has done in the two and half years it has been in power and is doing more.
“I’m extremely focused on doing my work. I cannot be distracted by anything. I know the challenge ahead of us to show what we have done for the people and how we have assisted the President develop the country and improve the lives of the farmers, create jobs for the young people, and reduce the cost of living,” DP stated.
Prof Kindiki said the biggest assignment for the government is to continue to improve earnings for farmers, look for jobs for the youth, build as many markets as possible for mama mboga, complete ongoing road projects, and initiate many more across the country.
He noted that coffee earnings have risen significantly from Sh40 per kg of cherry to over Sh100 with other factories paying over Sh140.
In implementing the manifesto, the government is constructing over 400 markets for small-scale traders and mama mboga across the country, 29 of those currently ongoing in Kiambu. Gatundu North has benefitted from three modern markets set for completion in two months.
“We want small-scale traders to have decent places to work. We don’t want them to suffer under the sweltering sun and drenching rains or expose themselves to danger on the roadside but comfortable places of work they can work without these challenges,” he added.
The markets are equipped with cold rooms, special places for lactating mothers, playing areas for children, and ICT hubs with free internet for young people to do digital jobs.
The DP assured the residents that the government will complete Mau Mau roads and others that stalled because of financial constraints.
“All the stalled roads are being revived including Mau Mau roads and they will be completed before the 2027 elections. We must complete them because we have promised the people to do so,” he said.
He also said over 250,000 Kenyans have benefitted from a variety of jobs in the affordable housing projects spread across the country including in Kiambu.
As the streamlining of the key sectors of the economy continues, the DP said empowerment of the youth and women will proceed to boost their businesses and assist them earn more.
