Ichung’wah vs. Gachagua: The Slippery Climb to Mt Kenya’s Political Summit.

Tensions are mounting in the political landscape of Mt Kenya as National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah takes aim at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The conflict highlights the increasingly murky politics of the region.

Ichung’wah has recently launched a series of sharp critiques against what he describes as leaders who seek to divide the nation along tribal, color, and religious lines. He has linked these divisive actions to the political turmoil in Mt Kenya.

Amid these tensions, there are rumors that DP Gachagua has been mobilizing regional leaders to back him. Gachagua claims that some individuals are conspiring to persuade President William Ruto to sideline him politically.

In response, Gachagua has issued a stern warning to what he terms ‘rebel leaders’ from the region, stating that those who do not support his unity agenda by December will face electoral consequences.

“By December of this year, we will have decided who will stay and who will go home,” Gachagua declared during a wedding in Kiambu on August 11. “After December, it will be too late to make changes. Those who have lost their way have until then to return to course.”

Gachagua’s comments have been met with criticism from Ruto, who has condemned the use of ethnic politics.

“I have been in politics long enough to understand the dangers of divisive ethnic politics,” Ruto said during a church service in Bungoma County on June 2. “Let us focus on transforming Kenya, not dividing it. I urge all leaders to embrace national unity.”

Ichung’wah has continued his attack on Gachagua, accusing him of endorsing and engaging in divisive politics. During a homecoming ceremony for Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on August 29, Ichung’wah criticized leaders who sow division for personal gain.

“We will not tolerate leaders who, for their own selfish interests, divide our people based on their origins or political affiliations,” Ichung’wah asserted.

Ichung’wah’s criticism also extends to accusations that Gachagua and his allies are undermining regional development. In a recent video, Ichung’wah alleged that influential figures are sabotaging reforms in the tea, coffee, and milk sectors to discredit Ruto’s administration.

“I will fight against those in power who seek to impoverish Mt Kenya by exploiting coffee and tea sales for their gain,” Ichung’wah stated.

When challenged by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi to name the individuals he was accusing, Ichung’wah implied that there is a prominent figure responsible for stalling key reforms.

“@ahmednasirlaw, you know who is obstructing the reforms. Ask around about the delays in tea auctions and milk sector reforms,” Ichung’wah responded on X.

Despite Gachagua’s efforts to implement reforms as per President Ruto’s Executive Order No. 1 of January 2023, which includes overseeing the Coffee Sub-Sector Reforms Implementation Standing Committee, regional leaders allied with Ruto have resisted Gachagua’s threats and attempts to consolidate support.

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri has labeled Gachagua’s efforts to unify the region as illusory, further fueling the ongoing political strife.

As the political drama unfolds, the path to Mt Kenya’s political summit remains fraught with challenges, and the rivalry between Ichung’wah and Gachagua continues to shape the region’s future.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.