Former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu has criticised the move by a section of Mt Kenya MPs to endorse Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the region's kingpin.
In a statement released hours after the MPs addressed the press on Thursday, September 12, the ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed that the move was bound to fail owing to his experience.
Wambugu reminisced the time when he, alongside some of his former colleagues in the Kieleweke group, issued a statement that was unpopular with the voters.
According to Gachagu'a ally, most of the MPs who belonged to the Kieleweke group were voted out during the 2022 polls, a scenario he hinted would likely happen to the MPs undermining the DP.
"During Kieleweke days I once convened a meeting that had a long list of MPs (I think they were 48 including some ‘absent but in concurrence). One person responded by saying ‘We now know which MPs will go home’ He was right. We went home," he stated.
The statement by Wambugu came hours after 48 MPs endorsed Kindiki as the region's kingpin, a move that was seen to undermine the DP.
Kindiki was tasked with safeguarding the interests of the vote-rich region in government despite being junior to the DP.
“Given the prevailing state of affairs and the urgency of the mission ahead, there is a need to have a link that will create a nexus between us and the National Executive on matters of development,” read the statement in part.
“Accordingly, we, as the elected leaders from this region and its Diaspora on our own behalf and that of our people, unanimously resolve that our link to the National Government be the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki, whose responsibilities includes the coordination of National Government functions across Country."
Notably, Gachagua has been accused of undermining President William Ruto by leaders including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.
It is anticipated that the move will cause more tensions within the ruling party. Gachagua is yet to officially comment on the move by the 48 lawmakers.
