The supremacy battles in the Mt Kenya region seem to be escalating, with Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah issuing a warning to President William Ruto.

Speaking in Nyeri on Sunday, September 15, 2024, Ichung’wah used the analogy of a viper on Ruto’s hands, asking him to shake it off.

“The President has gone through a lot (of tribulations) and he is still going through a lot. The President found an economy which is in a wreck. Just as he is about to settle down and start warming Kenyans, a viper has come and wrapped itself on his hand dragging him behind,” Ichung’wah said.

“Even from your fellow countrymen and people in your team, you (Ruto) have been christened as a cunning hare. We have been called barking dogs and you (Ruto) has been called the dog owner. I want to tell you, take heart. Don’t be afraid, shake off the snake. That viper on your hand, the snake in your government, please shake it off.”

Ichung’wah seemed to refer to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who, using the analogy of an old Kikuyu tale, termed MPs who have rejected his leadership as sellouts who he likened to gullible hyenas being misled by a cunning hare.

In the tale, the hyena and the hare agreed to unleash terror on their wives by battering them. As agreed, the hyena went ahead and beat his wife while the hare beat drums while making noises, convincing the gullible hyena that he too had acted as agreed.

“Do you know our hyenas? Do you know them? Do you know them? Now our people, with everything that is going on, is there anything that you do not know?” Gachagua said.

Mt Kenya MPs reject Gachagua

This comes days after 48 MPs from the Mt Kenya region rejected the leadership of Gachagua and instead endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the new link between the region and the Presidency.

The MPs, who spoke in Nyahururu town, claim that Gachagua has been perpetuating politics on unity to support individual and personal ambition rather than the articulation, pursuit and lobbying of the interests of Mt Kenya constituents.

“Our efforts to consolidate the developmental needs of the people we represent and canvass for their realization has been frustrated by the lack of a focal point of reference around whom we can channel the interests and priorities of our people to the Government for actualization. Instead, the Mt Kenya Region has suffered high-octane politics around fathom unity to support individual and personal ambition rather than the articulation, pursuit and lobbying of the interests of our constituents,” the statement read in part.

“Our attempts to call the region to the orderly prioritization of the developmental needs of the people has been frustrated by condescending threats of dire political consequences unless we support certain personal interests and ambitions.”

Mt Kenya MPs against Gachagua

Among the MPs who made the declaration include Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Wachira Karani (Laikipia West), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Wahome Wamatinga (Senator, Nyeri), George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), Micheal Muchira (Oljororok), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), Joseph Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Mburu Kahangara (Lari), John Kiragu (Limuru), Githua Wamacukuru (Kabete), John Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Ann Muratha (Kiambu), Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North) and Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South).

Others include Simon King’ara (Ruiru), Machua Waithaka (Kiambu Town), Betty Maina (Murang’a), Edwin Mugo (Mathioya), Kimani Kuria (Molo), Samuel Gachobe (Subukia), Irene Njoki (Bahati), Charity Kathambi (Njoro), John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Augustine Mwafrika (Roysambu), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), Joseph Githuku (Senator, Lamu), Karen Nyamu (Nominated Senator) and Michael Wambugu (Othaya).

Among the MPs who missed the meeting, but reported to be in concurrence, include Martha Wangari (Gilgil), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), David Kiaraho (Olkalou), Muthoni Marubu (Lamu), George Kariuki (Ndia), Mary Maingi (Mwea), Robert Gichimu (Gichugu), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri County), Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), Joseph Iraya (Nominated MP) and Antony Wainaina (Kieni).