‘You Are Holding High Office’ – Kimani Ichung’wah Reveals Why He Fallout With DP Gachagua
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah spoke for the first time on Tuesday about his strained relationship with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During an interview with Spice FM, Ichung’wah revealed that their relationship has been strained since Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua began rallying support for the One Man, One Shilling, One Vote campaign.
Ichung’wah believed that the Deputy President had unrestricted access to all senior government officials and thus could freely express his views, reservations, and opinions.
However, Gachagua failed to do so and instead launched a campaign to discredit the government’s work.
Kimani Ichung'wah: When you get into power and forget the promises you made to the people, and start doing the things you said you wouldn’t, it really bothers me. That's why I spoke up about it before. I even raised it with the Deputy President and told him that the coffee sector… pic.twitter.com/pTFXhljiRZ
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) September 17, 2024
“We were told it is now time to have the one Man, One Vote, One Shilling,” Ichung’wah stated on the political morning show.
” And you remember me asking, Under that executive order, number one, you have read, you’ve heard about intergovernmental relations work, chairing, IBEC chairing, cabinet subcommittees, something about the office of independent institutional commissions, being vested under the office of the Deputy President.
“And I didn’t ask then, first in person, second in public, why are we now using this microphone to speak about One Man, One Vote, One Shilling, yet we have all the levers to implement the things we are talking about,” Ichung’wah revealed during the interview.
“If you wanted a change in revenue sharing. Even begin from the cabinet subcommittee, process it through that, take it to the cabinet.”
Ichung’wah also asked why Gachagua hasn’t consistently defended government policy on national television.
The legislator reminded the audience that President William Ruto while serving as deputy president, would fiercely defend the government’s position regardless of the political consequences.
Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah claims DP Gachagua threatened Dennis Itumbi on August 15 at Eldoret State Lodge pic.twitter.com/UeveoO2WSN
— Kahawa Tungu (@KahawaTungu) September 17, 2024
The Majority Leader also revealed how Gachagua was chosen as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) running mate.
He revealed how politicians from the region pressured him to change his personality as it became clear that he would come across as too abrasive.
“Even the person himself would reflect upon himself and be more amiable in people-to-people skills because like the character of being too abrasive with people and other leaders and being vindictive,” he further stated.
“You know, that character that now has basically alienated many leaders and many people from you is something that you internalize that this is what people have said about me and act with grace now that you are holding high office and be a little bit more gracious and it did happen.”
Ichung’wah and Gachagua have been at odds, with the latter accusing the former of undermining Mt. Kenya unity. Meanwhile, Ichung’wah has accused Gachagua of promoting tribal politics.
Ichung’wah has remained defiant, even leading 48 Mt. Kenya MPs in declaring Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as their direct link to the Executive, effectively denouncing Gachagua.
The MPs accused Gachagua of isolating the Mt. Kenya region from the rest of the country through his political approach.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s Mt. Kenya allies have labeled Ichung’wah a spoiler and loudmouth intent on sabotaging Gachagua’s political aspirations.
“There is someone with an agenda to divide Mt.Kenya,” Embakasi Central MP Mejja Donk stated during a roadside rally on Friday.
“If you see a dog, someone must be holding the leash. This message is for the leash holder, Tie your puppets or forget about Mt.Kenya.”
‘You Are Holding High Office’ – Kimani Ichung’wah Reveals Why He Fallout With DP Gachagua
