Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua has on Saturday October 9, 2021 averred that any politician who wishes to maneuver the Mt Kenya region must pass through Deputy President William Ruto.

The lawmaker who was speaking in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, where he accompanied the Deputy President to drum up support for his 2022 bid, stated that the mountain is currently Ruto’s bastion and any politician who wishes to ascend to any seat in the region must seek the DP’s blessings.

Rigathi took issue with the recent engagements between the Mount Kenya Foundation and prospective presidential candidates in the Uhuru succession race.

The lawmaker rubbished efforts by the group, that entails tycoons drawn from the region, stating that the buck stops with the common mwananchi and not the billionaires.

“I want to tell those rich men that when they are finally done endorsing Raila Odinga, they should be reminded that Ruto is the current owner of the mountain. Anyone who wishes to climb the mountain must pass through Ruto,” he said.

The second in command, in an earlier address, proclaimed that he controls the region and that the political maneuvers of his opponents will not yield votes.

Ruto claimed that his opponents had made a late discovery of the mountain when he had already camped there and won the hearts of locals. He stated that he has a rich development scorecard that endears him more to the Mt Kenya residents.