Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has seemingly put an end to ongoing debates about Mt. Kenya’s political leadership, by declaring former President Uhuru Mwigai Kenyatta as the region’s indisputable leader. Gachagua said this during an interview on Citizen TV on Friday night, where where he also talked of his past political differences with the former Head of State.
The rift between Gachagua and Kenyatta stemmed from their conflicting stances during the 2022 general elections. Uhuru Kenyatta had endorsed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, while Gachagua firmly backed William Ruto, who went on to win the presidency. The Deputy President admitted that during the heated election period, he heavily criticized and ridiculed Kenyatta for backing a candidate he had previously disapproved of.
Gachagua’s Public Apology to Uhuru Kenyatta
During the interview, Gachagua acknowledged the errors of his past judgments and revealed that he has since tendered a formal apology to Uhuru Kenyatta and his family. He expressed regret for the harsh treatment the former President received from him and his political base in Mt. Kenya.Gachagua said, “We were very brutal with Uhuru Kenyatta. We demeaned him, told him off, and embarrassed him simply because he told us Raila Odinga was a good man. At that time, we could not understand why someone who had warned us against Raila was now backing him.”
The Deputy President says his change of heart came after President William Ruto, who had campaigned on an anti-Odinga platform, seemingly softened his stance on the veteran opposition leader. Gachagua admitted that the situation had made him realize that Kenyatta might have been right all along.
“Uhuru is the Undisputed King of the Mountain”
Gachagua went on to acknowledge Uhuru Kenyatta’s influence in the Mt. Kenya region, referring to him as the “undisputed king of the mountain.” He added that the former President’s political pronouncement on the region’s leadership remains valid, asserting that a leader from Mt. Kenya does not change their stance lightly.
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“A Mt. Kenya king does not pronounce himself twice on a matter,” Gachagua said. “Our son, Uhuru Kenyatta, had made his position clear. That pronouncement carries the day. As we stand today, me and the mountain people are quite happy with Raila Odinga,” he added.
Mt. Kenya Unity
Remarks made by Gachagua during the interview could signal a potential shift in the political dynamics within the Mt. Kenya region. By acknowledging Kenyatta as the region’s leader and apologizing for the past confrontations, Gachagua may be seeking to unify the often fragmented Mt. Kenya political bloc. This is really significant ahead of the 2027 general elections, since the populous region plays a critical role in shaping national political outcomes.
The Deputy President also hinted at a more favorable relationship with Raila Odinga, stating that the region harbors no ill will towards the opposition leader.
