‘Respect Uhuru’ – Kabogo joins DP Gachagua in push for Mt Kenya unity

Former Kiambu County Governor William Kabogo has joined Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in calling for Mount Kenya unity.

Kabogo, in a post on X on Sunday, June 16, 2024, said Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s third retired president, should be respected. His comment comes a day after Gachagua intensified his push to unite Central Kenya by closing bridges with the former head of state.

“I’m not Uhuru’s mouthpiece, but without fear or favour I say; respect him,” the former Juja Member of Parliament said.

While on a tour of Nyeri County on Saturday, June 15, Gachagua extended an olive branch to Uhuru, who supported Raila Odinga’s presidential candidacy in the 2022 general elections against William Ruto, Gachagua’s current boss.

The former Mathira MP argued that it is high time for him to look out for Uhuru and work together since Ruto and Raila are already working together.

“Makosa ya Uhuru, ilikuwa moja pekee yake. Kazi alikuwa amefanya, amejenga barabara, na ameleta maji amefanya kila kitu. Tukamchukia, tukampiga, na tukamdharau kwa sababu ya kutuleta Raila Odinga.

“Siku rais wetu (William Ruto) ameona inafaa washikane na Raila Odinga mimi nikajiuliza kama kiongozi ‘nitakuwa mjinga kiasi gani kama yule Raila tulikuwa tunapiga Uhuru juu yake ameshikana na Rais wetu’, hata mimi nikasema Uhuru ni wetu, ni mtoto wetu, aheshimiwe na tukae pamoja. 

“Eti sasa wananipiga mimi eti mimi ni mkabila nikisema Uhuru ni mtoto wetu. Iko makosa nimefanya? Mimi niliangalia na mimi si mjinga tulichukia Uhuru mtoto wetu. Hakuna makosa alifanya isipokuwa kutuleta Raila,” Gachagua said.

Meanwhile, Gachagua’s open willingness to work with Uhuru is expected to attract divergent views, given that some members of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have shown opposition to that call.

Kimani Ichung’wah and Ndindi Nyoro, MPs for Kikuyu and Kiharu, respectively, are in the camp opposing the DP. 

In fact, the Majority Leader in the National Assembly said Kenya needs national leaders and not tribal lords, in an apparent response to Gachagua, who is pushing for political unity in Mount Kenya.

“Nationalism is viewing the entire nation as one while appreciating our diversities and rejecting tribal lenses. The entire country deserves equal development and a share of the national cake.

“It is myopic to project tribal insecurities and use ethnic lines to segregate and fragment regions. Kenya needs national leaders, not tribal lords,” Ichung’wah said in a statement made in Kuria West on Saturday.

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