Political tensions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are escalating as Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and National Assembly leader Kimani Ichung'wah, both close allies of President William Ruto, have publicly rebuked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his call for Mt. Kenya unity and his support for the One Man, One Shilling, One Vote campaign.
During a church service in Nyeri on Sunday, Murkomen criticized Gachagua and his supporters, accusing them of pursuing selfish political goals at the expense of national unity. Murkomen specifically targeted Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who at the same service, suggested that Gachagua was being isolated within the ruling party.
“Gachagua should fulfill his role as Deputy President for all Kenyans, not just as a leader for the Mt. Kenya region,” Murkomen asserted. He urged Mt. Kenya leaders to allow Gachagua to work for the benefit of all Kenyans, aiding the president in unifying the country and overseeing key development projects. “Gachagua needs to move beyond regional politics and focus on his responsibilities as assigned by the president,” he added.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah also criticized those leveraging regional unity for personal political gain. “We are being told that everyone in Mt. Kenya, including elected leaders, should follow one individual’s lead. As a leader from Mt. Kenya, I will not tolerate such manipulation,” Ichung'wah stated. He emphasized the importance of working within the Kenya Kwanza government to unify the region without resorting to ethnic or communal politics. “You should not exploit your community’s support to advance selfish interests at the nation’s expense,” he warned.
Governor Kahiga, on the other hand, hinted at deeper divisions within the Kenya Kwanza alliance, revealing that Gachagua was denied a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chopper during a recent trip to Bomet. He drew parallels to how President Ruto was allegedly mistreated when he was Deputy President under former President Uhuru Kenyatta. “If such mistreatment happens again, the people of Mt. Kenya will stand with Gachagua,” Kahiga declared. He stressed that Gachagua was elected to his position and deserved the same respect as any other leader. “We will not allow our son to suffer the same fate as Ruto did under Kenyatta. Gachagua deserves respect as an elected leader,” he insisted.