Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku has addressed the ongoing political shifts in the Mt Kenya region involving Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Ruku refuted claims suggesting that some Mt Kenya lawmakers were plotting to impeach DP Gachagua. He stated unequivocally that he is not aware of any such scheme to remove Gachagua from his influential position.
“Sijui hii maneno ambayo wanasema eti kuna wabunge wanapanga kutoa naibu wa rais yameskia wapi? Wameiona wapi? Hakuna mpango kama hio (Where did they get the information that there is a plan by some MPs to impeach the deputy president? Where did they see the report? There is no such a plan), the Mbeere North MP insiste
Issue with Gachagua
Geoffrey Ruku explained that the issues between some Mt Kenya MPs and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revolve around his execution of duties. Ruku criticized Gachagua for focusing solely on Mt Kenya’s issues rather than fulfilling his broader national leadership role. This, he said, led to the endorsement of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the intermediary between Mt Kenya East and the Executive.
“Yale tunasema kama umepewa cheo cha kitaifa ni vizuri tukuone pande zote za Kenya ukiongea mambo ya maendeleo na pia uweke mbele mambo ya kuunganisha maeneo hayo (What we are saying is that when you are given a national position, you are expected to traverse various parts of the country to promote the development agenda and foster unity).
“Lakini yale ambayo tumeona, naibu was rais amesahau kazi take ni ya kitaifa ameiona tu ni ya Mlima Kenya (What we have seen so far is that the deputy president has forgotten his role and only focused on the Mt Kenya issue),” Ruku reiterated during an interview with a local radio station.
Geoffrey Ruku clarified that Mt Kenya East is seeking greater autonomy from the broader Mt Kenya political alliance due to decades of feeling marginalized. He expressed frustration at the region’s long-standing disenfranchisement under the larger Mt Kenya umbrella, which he believes has been detrimental to their interests.
Ruku also dismissed claims that the calls for reorganization within Mt Kenya are intended to destabilize the Kenya Kwanza administration. Despite the ongoing tension, Deputy President Gachagua has remained resolute in his commitment to regional unity. Meanwhile, President William Ruto has urged the conflicting Mt Kenya factions to set aside their differences and concentrate on service delivery.
