Rigathi Gachagua seeks truce with Mt Kenya billionaires on Raila's side

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has a word with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya Stephen Jackson on November 17, 2022. [DPPS]

Deputy President Rigathi on Saturday predicted the death of Azimio in his home tuff.

At the same time, he wooed Mount Kenya Foundation to work with the administration of President William Ruto.

He downplayed utterances by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga that there was disquiet in Kenya Kwanza coalition, following a perceived betrayal of candidates from Mt Kenya region during the Eala elections last Thursday.

The DP vowed that by December 31, there would be no support for Azimio in Mt Kenya after he unites leaders to work with President Ruto.

He dismissed talks of divisions within the Kenya Kwanza following the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) elections. Gachagua said the elections had nothing to do with the President or himself.

"That small election had nothing to do with us (Ruto and Gachagua). The MPs had their own choice to make. President Ruto is a democrat, he had no problem with the decisions they make because he believes in democracy," he said.

Gachagua at the same time told off Governor Kahiga who had warned that the relationship between Mt Kenya region and the President was souring.

During the swearing in of his CECs, Kahiga had charged that the Eala elections had proved that Mt Kenya voters would not be held hostage in their union with Kenya Kwanza.

"We have seen the signs of discord in our marriage to Kenya Kwanza and it should remain clear that the region is willing to go its own way if necessary," he said.

An irked Gachagua replied: "I want to confirm to all of you that the mountain is okay, and we are happy with our union with President Ruto."

Gachagua has been targeting support from the Mt Kenya Foundation. The foundation is made up of billionaire businessmen from the region who raised millions of shillings in support of Raila in 2022.

He insisted that President Ruto had engaged the region in his government with the appointment of Cabinet secretaries.

Led by Peter Munga, the MKF, which was formed in 2007, comprises of captains of industry, very senior and influential civil servants, as well as powerful politicians.

In 2007 and and in 2013, the group played a crucial role in political elections when it endorsed, the late President Mwai Kibaki and former President Uhuru Kenyatta respectively.

During the campaigns the group fund-raised for Raila's presidential campaigns with several meetings held including a publicised dinner that raised over Sh10 million.