Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned Mt. Kenya leaders against engaging in succession politics just a year and a half after elections.
When DP Gachagua met with Nyandarua MCAs on Tuesday, he spoke in Karen about the significance of elected officials prioritizing service delivery over succession politics, and he also stated that people in power should focus on completing their civic responsibilities.
The DP also suggested that elected authorities should aggressively empower local youngsters, effectively extending their voter base for future elections.
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"Those who want to lead, hawa vijana wakikufa mtaongoza nani? Kam kwanza tuokoe generation. Then unaeza jipanga nao huko mbele. If these young people wamepoteza vitambulisho, wanalala kwa mtaro...wewe unataka kuongoza...utaongoza nani? There will be nobody to lead," said Gachagua.
"Let us not be transfixed with childish politics of succession. We have barely come from elections...one and a half years...people want service...kuhudumiwa, kujua mambo ya barabara, ukulima, stima, maziwa. Sasa mambo ya uchaguzi ni ya nini? Tuwachane na hiyo maneno, I want to appeal to everybody and more so in our region where people look a little bit confused."
The DP subsequently rallied elected officials, imploring them to lay aside their differences and work together for the better good of Kenyans.
"Let us focus on service delivery, and we want this region to be united under President William Ruto the way tulikubaliana, tongue yeye mono, teacher mambo mingi na tufanyie wakenya kazi," he went on to say.
Gachagua's comments come after other Mt. Kenya leaders appear to have launched a campaign to replace him as President Ruto's running mate in the upcoming General Election.
They accuse the DP of failing to handle regional issues, such as launching reforms in the coffee and tea sectors.
They further claim that the DP has failed to unite the Mt. Kenya region and should be replaced with new leadership.
One group wants him replaced by Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, while another has suggested Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki.