Gachagua ally dumps him for 'trying to control' Mt Kenya politics

Former Nyeri Town Mp, Ngunjiri Wambugu during a press conference on national issues in Nyeri Town, October 8, 2023. [Mose Sammy, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been dealt a major blow after one of his trusted confidants dumped him for allegedly trying to dictate management of Mt Kenya politics. Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu in an interview on YouTube on Tuesday night said he was Gachagua's political advisor for one year and left on October 31 last year following his impeachment and that he continued performing his duties on pro bono basis until February this year when he ditched Gachagua's camp. Wambugu, who said he was still a dedicated member of Jubilee party, said Gachagua's insistence that all political parties from the region should be ditched so that his yet to be formed party becomes the main vehicle, was the main reason he decamped. "My challenge as a Jubilee party member is that there is a party that will come that will compete with my party and some people want all other parties including Jubilee to be done away with. We are not in a one party dictatorship," he said. Wambugu said limiting political parties will have consequences especially on the turn up of the electorate since only supporters of the candidate of the sole party would come out to vote. "In 2022, Nyanza turnout was 66 per cent because the prominent party was one and supporters of the rival candidates did not participate in voting since their favorite candidate was not on the ballot. Limiting our votes is limiting our strength and our bargaining power," he said. He said Gachagua was trying to play the league of ODM and Wiper leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka respectively where they dictate to their MPs how to vote in Parliament and likened the strategy to that of bombarding the region with nincompoops. "Some of us lost seats in 2022 because we were not politically correct, because we were not in the popular wave, it is a mistake that we are gradually seeking to undo but unfortunately, Gachagua wants to take us back there," Wambugu said. He also claimed he did not anticipate the 25 Gachagua followers elected under the sponsorship of the ruling UDA resigning to join Gachagua due to technicalities and woes that would haunt them. "I don't see the elected leaders joining Gachagua's party and ditching UDA. There is nothing dangerous like one getting out of the party, even the electorate will demand questions why you are resigning," he added. Wambugu took issue with his former boss' style of politics saying it was wrong for him to urge his supporters to boo President Ruto when he visits Mt Kenya, saying that would set a bad precedent to other leaders whenever they visit other regions." "We used to warn Gachagua against insulting Uhuru in 2022 and he accepted his mistakes. From where I stand the insults are not warranted. It's unfortunate that he is swallowing his words and claiming that he was misdirected to insult Uhuru. It is wrong for him to incite his supporters to heckle the President," he said.

Gachagua ally dumps him for 'trying to control' Mt Kenya politics

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Gachagua ally dumps him for 'trying to control' Mt Kenya politics

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