Murang’a governor Irungu Kang’ata on Sunday, October 13, 2024, revealed how he came to hear his name being floated as one of the front runners for the position of Deputy President in the case that the Senate upholds the impeachment motion against Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during a local TV show, Kang’ata stated that he was engaged in his County duties when the news came in and noted that it was humbling to be considered as an option.

“The news came in at a time when we were distributing fertilizer and maize to our 57,000 farmers in anticipation of the short rains which commence in mid-October; and therefore, it was quite humbling. I saw my name being floated around,” Kang’ata stated.

Gachagua impeachment pending

However, he indicated that it was premature to delve deeper into the discussion given that the matter is in court and the Senate has yet to pronounce itself on the same issue.

“I also think that it is sub judice for me to speak deeply on the issue because I have seen there are court cases; secondly, I think the Senate is still considering that issue and it is the discretion of the president and fairness demands that it is him to make the decision,” he added.

President Ruto’s choices for the seat of the Deputy President should it fall vacant are suspected to be limited to the Central Kenya region after speculations were rife that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki would be the best fit.

Potential replacements

Among the leaders whose names have been floated around are Kang’ata and Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru. Initially, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was seen as a potential forerunner but his name was relegated to the back burner after he neither appended his signature on the impeachment motion notice nor participated in the voting.

Community intrigues in the Central Kenya region play to the advantage of Kang’ata- a first-time governor who joined politics at 22 when he was elected a councillor in the defunct Murang’a Municipal Council in 2002.

After a long break from politics to pursue his legal career, Kang’ata shot into the public limelight when he represented Rebecca Kerubo- a security guard against former deputy chief justice Nancy Baraza and won.

He has since won all the elective seats he has vied for from being Kiharu MP in 2013, Murang’a Senator in 2017 and being elected Governor in the 2022 General Elections.