Saturday fifteenth March, 2025 08:00 AM|
President William Ruto’s current political realignment with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has triggered a serious realignment in Mt Kenya’s management throughout the National Assembly.
Several key leaders, perceived to been aligned to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have been ousted from high positions in parliamentary committees – a transfer that has ignited heated debate.
Lawmakers believed to have loved Gachagua’s backing of their committee appointments have been eliminated and changed with MPs who supported his impeachment movement in Parliament.
The growth has sparked backlash, with some leaders from the vote-rich Mt Kenya accusing President Ruto of betraying those that propelled him into energy. Nyeri Governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga, in an interview with PD Weekendi, described the reshuffle as a part of a broader technique to sideline Mt Kenya leaders from the federal government.
“Nobody is complaining because this was expected. It is the ultimate price for standing with our people. One undeniable fact is that two years down the line, President Ruto has unashamedly betrayed those who put him in power,” stated Dr Kahiga.
He recalled Ruto’s heavy marketing campaign presence in Mt Kenya, the place he incessantly visited, invoked Christian messages, and quoted the Bible.
Political loyalty
“While he used to spend every week in our region singing praise songs and quoting Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, he no longer comes here. Instead, he has labeled Mt Kenya people as tribal, self-centered, and sensationalists. The people he once called ‘wachawi’ (witches), ‘wazee wa vitendawili’ (elders of riddles), and ‘Uhuru Kenyatta’s projects’ are now running his government,” he lamented.
Political analyst Dr Philip Chebunet argues that authorities appointments have traditionally favoured those that exhibit unwavering loyalty.
“Governments prioritise loyalty to execute their manifesto. The late President Daniel Moi ruled for 24 years without support from certain regions,” Dr Chebunet, a lecturer on the University of Eldoret, famous.
When requested why some Mt Kenya leaders have been ignored within the current reshuffle, he responded: “The lines have been drawn. Some leaders are seen as hypocrites. They may be rewarded elsewhere.”
Next transfer
Governor Kahiga maintains that President Ruto has orchestrated his personal issues by sidelining Mt Kenya.
“There is nothing much we can do to help because President Ruto is the architect of his own misery. Had he listened to advice, he wouldn’t be in this hole. Now, Raila is claiming that Ruto approached him, not the other way around. Let’s see his next move,” Dr Kahiga stated.
He had free advise for the Head of State.
“My two cents to the President – when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Your Excellency, get back to work and fulfill your promises to Kenyans,” he suggested.
MPs from Nyeri County who strongly backed Gachagua’s impeachment have been notably absent from the reshuffle. Nyeri is the yard of the previous DP. Before the National Assembly voted on Gachagua’s impeachment, MPs Rahab Mukami (Woman Representative), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) had publicly vowed to oppose the movement.
In distinction, those that supported his removing—together with MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Maina Mathenge (Nyeri Town), and Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), together with Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga—secured strategic positions in parliamentary committees.
Following the impeachment, Wamatinga changed Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, a Gachagua ally, on the influential Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).
Nyeri Town MP Maina Mathenge accused the previous Deputy President of failing to assist leaders from his stronghold in securing key parliamentary positions.
On the spot
“When Gachagua was DP, we sought his help to secure at least one committee chairmanship, but he declined, insisting he alone represented Nyeri in government,” claimed Mathenge.
He additional alleged that Gachagua restricted Nyeri leaders’ entry to President Ruto, making it tough for them to foyer for growth initiatives.
“We had a leader who claimed he was being persecuted for championing development for his people, but there is nothing to show for it. The truth must be told,” Mathenge added.
Several of Gachagua’s loyalists misplaced their management roles and have been reassigned to much less influential committees.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was eliminated as chair of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) and reassigned to the Members Services Committee. Embakasi North MP John Gakuya misplaced his place as chair of the Trade Committee and was transferred to the Broadcasting Committee.
Runyenjes MP Eric Karemba was ousted as chair of the Labour Committee and moved to CIOC.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was eliminated as vice chair of the Lands Committee and transferred to the Members Services and Facilities Committee.
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo was reassigned from the Energy, Forest, and Mining Committee to the Parliamentary Broadcast and Library Committee.
Speaking final Sunday at ACK Holy Trinity Kitengela Church in Kajiado, Gachagua condemned the purge and urged the federal government to stop sidelining his allies.
“Many of those removed from committee leadership positions campaigned tirelessly for Kenya Kwanza in the last election. I am surprised that some Mt Kenya leaders support this move,” he stated.
In a current cellphone name from Nyandarua Senator John Methu throughout a public occasion in Nyeri, Gachagua took purpose at leaders who supported his impeachment, warning that voters would reject them in future elections.
“The leaders who stood by me, like Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, deserve your support. Those who betrayed us will face the voters’ judgment,” he declared.