‘I’ve no time for the kingpin nonsense’ – Gachagua breaks silence on Mt Kenya supremacy war

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he is not interested in being recognised as the kingpin of Mount Kenya amid reports of supremacy battles in the vote-rich region.

Speaking during a church service in Kiambu County on Sunday, November 5, the country’s second in command maintained that he was focused on helping President William Ruto serve the people and as such had no time to engage in what he termed senseless regional politics.

The DP, however, noted that anyone interested in the role was free to go for it.

“I’ve seen a debate on the issue about (Mt Kenya) kingpin…I have read the constitution, there is no provision for a kingpin. Where is the kingpin office? How much is his salary? If there are people who want that office, I am not part of it, I am deputy president,” Gachagua stated.

“My office is in Harambee House, another in Karen, and there is a salary… and a job to do. If there are people interested in that position, let them take it.

“People want to be trivial. They want to look for issues where there are none. I’m deputy president of the Republic of Kenya, I assist the president in running the country. I’ve no time or desire to aspire for any other office because the president has given me a lot of work. My day starts at 5:00 am and ends at midnight…I have no time for that kingpin nonsense, I’m too busy,” he added.

Gachagua insisted that his recent bid to consolidate the Mount Kenya region by extending an olive branch to supporters of the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition had been misunderstood.

“When I called for the unity of this region. I did not call for the unity of this region behind me, I called for the unity of this region behind President William Ruto for the simple reason that we were divided to a certain extent… When we are strong behind him we have better leverage in his administration.” 

Mount Kenya kingpin

Gachagua is largely regarded as the de facto kingpin of the Kikuyu nation following the retirement of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

His latest remarks come days after former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga expressed his desire to take the leadership mantle from Uhuru.

Njenga, who lost the Laikipia senatorial seat in the 2022 elections, said Kikuyu traditions demand that the leadership stuff, popularly known as ‘Muthigi’, be handed over when a leader exits from the position, which he maintained was yet to happen.

Insisting that he is qualified to step into Uhuru’s shoes, the politician accused people in certain circles of engaging in a smear campaign to portray him in a bad light.

Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Performance and Delivery Management Moses Kuria recently also sparked a debate on the kingpin role after sending out a cryptic post on X(formally Twitter) after King Charles III concluded his four-day tour in the country.

“Sasa venye King amerudi kwao, fake Kingpins you can take over,” CS Kuria wrote on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Gachagua on Sunday pledged to intervene in the leadership wrangles in Kiambu County amid threats from Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to impeach Governor Kimani Wamatangi.

The DP is set to hold a series of meetings with local leaders tomorrow (Monday) to address the stalemate.