Editor's Review

"We must work for them because they are the ones who played a huge role in electing this government."

Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent remarks that Kenya Kwanza leaders should not visit Mt. Kenya. 

Speaking on Friday, March 28, the MP made it clear that the government would not seek permission to engage with the people of the region.

The MP noted that Mt. Kenya played a crucial role in Kenya Kwanza’s rise to power and, as such, deserved a fair share of government projects and development initiatives.  

"As Kenya Kwanza, we will tour and take development to every part of this country. Wamunyoro (Rigathi Gachagua) said we should not visit Mt. Kenya, but we will be in Mt. Kenya next week.

“I want to tell Gachagua that if there are people who contributed to this government taking power, it is the people from Mt. Kenya, and they deserve development,” he said.

Read More

  1. Khalwale Sends Appeal To President Ruto, Raila Over Gachagua
  2. Why I Will Not Attend President Ruto's Mt Kenya Tour- Irungu Nyakera
  3. Rigathi Gachagua Laments after Police Attempts to Block His Rally

Additionally, Sudi emphasized that their mission in the region was purely developmental and not political. 

“We are coming to Mt. Kenya to work, and we are not asking for permission. We must work for them because they are the ones who played a huge role in electing this government,” he added.

File image of Oscar Sudi

In May 2024 while still the Deputy President, Gachagua criticized elected leaders for engaging in what he termed as "political tourism," urging them to remain in their constituencies and serve their constituents instead of moving from one county to another politicking.

Speaking in UasinGishu County, he emphasized that such movements were detrimental to the government's agenda and called for an end to these practices.

"I urge the MPs to stay in their constituencies and serve their people. The habit of political tourism must stop. This is what is giving us trouble," he said.

However, President William Ruto later contradicted Gachagua's stance, encouraging MPs to travel across the country to better understand their legislative and oversight roles. 

Speaking during a church service in Bungoma County, he highlighted that such movements enable MPs to fulfill their duties both to their constituencies and to the nation.

“I am happy that many MPs are here. Moving across the country will enable them to know the other mandate of legislation is oversight," he said.