What was shaping up to be a David versus Goliath moment in Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro’s onslaught against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the political soul of Mt Kenya appears to have ended up as a brief political circus that has only served to fuel speculation.
After Mr Nyoro’s unequivocal loyalty pledge to President William Ruto and Mr Gachagua, it remains unclear if the drama had served its purpose as a warning shot by powerful forces to the DP, or was an ill-fated an ill-timed coup attempt whose plotters realised they did not have enough political fire power.
The two shadowboxed each other for only two weeks with Nyoro’s allies — led by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu — sensationally demanding that President Ruto drops DP Gachagua in 2027 and replace him with the Kiharu MP in readiness for a 2032 takeover of the presidency.
The Sunday Nation gathers that the schemers of the Nyoro agenda underrated the fighting acumen of Mr Gachagua who countered the onslaught by deftly veering it directly into State House after publicly declining the invitation to engage in a public spat with his opponents. His allies had always claimed there was a powerful hidden hand in the surprise push by the Nyoro camp, one-and-a-half-years after the last election.
For the President, a possible falling-out in a region that solidly backed him in 2022 would have been a big risk that threatened years of instability more than three years to the next elections.
But it appears Mr Nyoro’s about-turn will only allow for an uneasy calm with the supremacy battles continuing in various forms.
Former Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi, who was defeated by Mr Muriu, admits that he was approached by some people who promised unlimited support to launch campaigns against the current MP for his stand against the DP.
“I declined since I respect Gatanga people and I will only seek their mandate only when elections come calling,” he said.
Mr Ngugi added that former President Uhuru Kenyatta tenure made him aware that “wealth and power are two dangerous opponents to attempt taking head on” , adding that “that is what Gachagua has unleashed to shake off the Nyoro challenge.”
Too hot
Mr Nyoro’s allies agree that the kitchen became too hot and they could not cope with the heat.
“It was not our liking to back down…Powerful forces descended on us and urged us to call off the attack. Nothing has changed in our demands, but it is no longer tenable to say it openly,” said Mr Nyutu.
He added: “It is not possible to continue publicly defying Gachagua when the Head of State has personally come out to demand cessation of hostilities, but nevertheless, we have made our point and the demands we were making remain very much alive.”
Mr Nyutu said that the two camps are united under President Ruto.“We all agree President Ruto should serve us till 2032 (for two terms). We only differ on who should deputise him in seeking a second term in 2027, and who will inherit the seat in 2032.”
After Mr Nyoro kept a stoic silence as his political mercenaries circled Gachagua for the kill, he abruptly came out on Friday while in Tana River looking subdued and somehow rattled.
“We all in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance give our President and his deputy full, total and unconditional support as they lead our nation….
This article was originally published by a nation.africa . Read the Original article here. .