Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta from attacks by allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement, Wamuchomba said Uhuru remains the political kingpin of the Mt Kenya region and that his leadership was not imposed on the people.
“It is disheartening to see Mt Kenya people attacking each other for political competition. This entitlement is too much. Before DCP there was Jubilee, UDA, DP and others. Nobody has the monopoly of the eight million Mountain votes,” she said.
“We said before, hatupangwingwi! Uhuru Kenyatta is the undisputed kingpin of the Mountain, and he did not force it on us. At least in his 10 years of rule, with all his flaws, he was never impeached and never impeached his deputy.”
Wamuchomba praised Uhuru for uniting the country during his tenure, noting that he is now free to endorse whoever he wishes as his political successor.
She stressed there was no agreement that Uhuru would hand over Mt Kenya leadership to Gachagua.
She also warned Gachagua’s allies against disparaging the former head of state, saying any attack on him amounts to an attack on Kiambu County.
“He unified the country and is at liberty to bless anybody to take over from him, even if it’s not me. Attacking Uhuru is despising Kiambu and Kenya at large. I thought we learnt a lesson after the Mbuzi stealing episode? Let it be clear: you attack Uhuru, you attack Kiambu County — and we are watching,” Wamuchomba said.
She further questioned the basis of Gachagua’s allies’ expectations. “If Uhuru is betraying you by courting Dr. Matiang’i, when did you sit and agree with him that you are next in line? We are in a democratic country, and we all have the right to associate. Kiambu County is not a colony of Nyeri. With much respect to the people of Nyeri, this trajectory of demeaning leaders must not be allowed.”
The MP reiterated that the retired President is a statesman who should be emulated, urging current leaders to focus on surpassing his legacy.
“Uhuru is admired by all and is a statesman. We should all work hard to outdo him. Cleophas Malala and company must stop this careless talk about Uhuru Kenyatta,” she said.