Betrayal within the Mountain? Why ex-DP Gachagua’s loyal males became foes

Betrayal within the Mountain? Why ex-DP Gachagua’s loyal males became foes

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Early this yr, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and one Francis Ngotho Maina have been inseparable. Ngotho for all intents and functions was the then DP’s proper hand man, alongside present Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga.

While Ngotho was Gachagua’s official private assistant from his days as Mathira MP and later as deputy president, Wamatinga was the DP’s eyes and ears within the constituency, serving because the chairman of the Mathira National Government-CDF (NG-CDF) committee, after all at Gachagua’s behest.

Those within the know declare that have been it not for Gachagua’s political muscle and deep pockets, Wamatinga would by no means have made it to the Senate through the 2022 General Election.

For as President William Ruto’s working mate, Gachagua was the political kingmaker in Nyeri county and by extension, the bigger Mt. Kenya. You have been both with him or by yourself, so they are saying. Those who stood in his manner like then Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu and his then Kieni counterpart Kanini Kega, have been all swept into political oblivion.

It just isn’t clear how then Gachagua and Ngotho, and later Wamatinga, fell out, as did many different serving MPs in Nyeri county and past.

When Ngotho resurfaced

Those intently related to the previous DP confess that it took them fairly some time to grasp Ngotho was not at Harambee Annexe or the DP’s official Karen residence.

“We did not realise he (Ngotho) was gone, it took us some months to realise he was no longer part of the DP’s entourage,” reveals an in depth aide.

Then got here the impeachment movement, first within the National Assembly within the second week of October and within the Senate, on the fateful October 18 evening. Five days later, on October 23, Ngotho resurfaced, however now on the opposite aspect of the political divide. A quick letter from State House, introduced Ngotho’s return.

“I am pleased to convey the decision of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Kenya that your appointment in the Office of the Deputy President be varied and you be appointed in the grade of Deputy Director, Communications CSG 6/JG ‘R’ on Local Agreement Terms of service for an initial period of three years in the Executive Office of the President with effect from October 21, 2024 tied to the tenure of His Excellency the President.”

And with that, Ngotho was again, and in an enormous manner. The fallout between Gachagua and Wamatinga was a bit extra clearer, with the senator voting in favour of the previous’s impeachment within the Senate, as did a number of MPs from Nyeri county within the National Assembly.

For his troubles, it could seem, Wamatinga was just lately appointed to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) because the purge focusing on Gachagua’s surrogates gained momentum.

But it was not till final weekend that the duo got here out to clarify why they fell out, or to Gachagua’s sidekicks, betrayed their erstwhile political godfather.

Speaking on Sunday on the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kirai, Othaya, the 2 leaders defended their assist for Gachagua’s impeachment, saying it was crucial for the better good of Mt Kenya residents. 

Wamatinga mentioned his determination to assist Gachagua’s removing was not taken calmly however was pushed by a necessity to make sure improvement for Nyeri and the broader Mt Kenya. 

Difficult determination

“The decision to support the ouster of my friend (Gachagua) was difficult but necessary. We worked hard to form this government, and we cannot be the ones leading the criticism. Our focus must be on unity and development,” Wamatinga said. 

The senator additionally pledged his unwavering assist for President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urging Mt Kenya leaders to put aside tribal politics and embrace nationwide unity. 

“We support leaders who prioritise unity and development over divisive tribal politics. I will continue working with the current deputy president to serve all Kenyans equally. We want to serve all Kenyans because the country belongs to all of us,” he mentioned. 

Wamatinga recommended President Ruto for his current assembly with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, emphasising the significance of fostering nationwide unity.

He additionally appealed to the president to include leaders from the earlier regime, comparable to former Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, into his authorities. 

“We support the meeting between President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the purpose of unity of this country. We are pleading with the President to bring on board, in his government, other leaders who worked with Uhuru Kenyatta like Mutahi Kagwe. They are performers and will greatly assist him (President) in serving our people,” Wamatinga mentioned.

The lawmaker mentioned he made a daring determination to hitch different Nyeri leaders to foyer President Ruto to gazette Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital in Othaya as a fully-fledged impartial parastatal and delinked from its annex – Kenyatta National Hospital.

Ngotho on his half accused Gachagua of stifling improvement initiatives in Nyeri, significantly criticising his previous dismissal of calls to prioritise funding for the Mwai Kibaki Teaching and Referral Hospital. 

“When Wamatinga lobbied for resources for the hospital, Gachagua called his efforts ‘matope’ (trash). If advocating for development for our people is seen as trash, then perhaps it’s time to seek a new leader who truly prioritises the interests of Mt Kenya,” Ngotho mentioned. 

The former aide additionally dismissed Gachagua’s claims that he’ll lead the area in figuring out its political path forward of the 2027 General Elections. 

Height of betrayal

“Let no one deceive you that they alone will determine the path for Mt Kenya. We need unity and development, not divisive rhetoric,” Ngotho added. 

But in a pointy rejoinder, Gachagua’s allies, led by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, branded the duo’s actions as the peak of betrayal.

“These are fellows looking for a way to assuage what was a fundamental betrayal of a man who was their friend and leader and who they had worked with closely for many years,” Wambugu hit out.

“Wamatinga, earlier than he turned a senator, was CDF Chair of Mathira, a put up he was given by Rigathi Gachagua. He labored intently with Gachagua and even acquired work from authorities due to that affiliation. Gachagua additionally performed a serious function in him turning into senator. He then betrayed him within the Senate.

“He even lied (that) he was Gachagua’s estranged brother-in-law to justify his betrayal, as was quoted by (Kisii) Senator Richard Onyonka. This betrayal is what’s eating him. Because he knows Nyeri people despise him for it and he wants to vie for governor in 2027,” he added. 

But Ngotho’s betrayal was the worst. “He was a PA to Rigathi when he was MP Mathira. He then became PA to him when he was DP, with all perks including vehicles and security. By dint of his position he handled a lot of Gachagua’s private issues and affairs; and benefited from them tremendously financially,” Wambugu went on.

“Then he betrayed Gachagua by providing details of all his private affairs to his political enemies. He is now employed as communications officer in the office of the President, a position he got as a reward because of being the primary source of all the personal information that was used against Rigathi; information he got in trust. A trust he betrayed in the most evil way,” he added. 
“They know they did evil. They are being socially ostracised for it. So now they are trying to justify their despicable actions by accusing him of silly things like tribalism. When they were benefiting from Rigathi why didn’t they refuse?”

Addressing Nyeri residents final month, Gachagua had himself alluded to the alleged betrayal, urging Mt Kenya residents to reject them in future elections. 

“The leaders who stood by me, like Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, deserve your support. Those who betrayed us will face the voters’ judgment,” the previous DP mentioned. 

He known as for the formation of a Mt Kenya-based political celebration to safeguard the area’s pursuits, including that consultations with clergy and different leaders have been underway to find out the way in which ahead. 

“We must reorganise ourselves politically. Never again should we find ourselves dependent on others for our political direction,” Gachagua said. 

The impeachment has sharply divided Nyeri’s political management and residents.

The fallout has sparked public outrage, with some residents blaming their representatives for Gachagua’s removing. Many MPs are reportedly avoiding public engagements for concern of being heckled. 

As the mud settles, Nyeri leaders stay at odds, with the area grappling to chart a united political future forward of the 2027 elections.