With eyes firmly on 2027, Wa Iria steers Mt Kenya on Azimio path

Leaders in Mt Kenya region who had allegiances with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and sought to seek or defend their seats through the troubled Jubilee party have since shifted their loyalties to Ruto in an attempt to redeem their political careers. But Wa Iria says that this is a risky move because the defectors don't have bragging rights over the Kenya Kwanza administration since the incumbents will not give them space to set their agenda.

Counter stratety

"Those who jumped over to the government don't have a chance in this administration. Remember, their replacements are jealously guarding their positions against intrusion from their rivals for the purposes of defending their political seats in the future," he told The Standard on phone.

The former governor said when he joined the Azimio team, he came up with one mission; defending Raila against verbal attacks from leaders such as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Wa Iria also came up with a counter-strategy to Gachagua's assertions of being the son of Mau Mau freedom fighters, as well as remarks about Kenya being a company where 'shareholders' - meaning those who voted for Kenya Kwanza administration-would be the first to be awarded State jobs.

The ex-governor's remarks were used as a clarion call by Raila when he attended the Murang'a and Nyandarua town hall meetings where he said the meeting was for non-shareholders, which appeared to target victims of high cost of living and lure them to the opposition.

"I am glad that the remarks initiated the conversation in our region and nationally. Questions on whether Gachagua was indeed a son of Mau Mau is now on course," Wa Iria said.

Wa Iria had pilloried Gachagua, claiming that no child of a Mau Mau fighter had ever been appointed a District Officer. This was before former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta claimed that some people parading as Mau Mau warriors were imposters.

But Gachagua did not take the barbs lying down. He fired back and accused the Kenyatta family of being behind the Mau Mau woes.

Community leader

Wa Iria has said that he has partnered with like-minded leaders in Mt Kenya to host a series of town hall meetings where Raila can engage with residents.

"We have been to two counties; Murang'a and Nyandarua. But even as we resume protests in Nairobi, we have planned town hall meetings in Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties in the next two weeks," he said.

Despite producing Raila's running mate Martha Karua, central Kenya has not experienced Azimio-related activities. But speaking in Murang'a, Ms Karua said their efforts to seek permits from the police to participate in protests were thwarted by the police.

"We have had our people harassed and trailed when they tried to notify the police of the Azimio protests in Mt Kenya region. But we must endure and stand up against the mistreatment and soldier on with our activities," she said.

Political strategists, however, see Wa Iria's move as a strategy to maintain political relevance in readiness of the 2027 General Election. Others opine that he wants to challenge Gachagua as the community leader.

Charles Njoroge, a political analyst, said Wa Iria wants to be a voice of dissent in the region so that in the future he is either approached by the administration or is considered a point man of the opposition.

"If he sustains his onslaught against Gachagua, he will have to be approached ahead of 2027 General Election to join the bandwagon. If he is not, then he will have fought for a legitimate principal in the Azimio coalition, which gives him more bargaining powers," said Mr Njoroge.

Wa Iria has joined a group of leaders who seem to be jostling for the kingship of the region. Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri seems to be fighting Gachagua from within government since his The Service Party is a member of Kenya Kwanza administration.

Then there is Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria who has been crisscrossing the region accompanied by elected leaders.

A section of leaders, however, have warned that the continued division and opposition against Gachagua will not only harm him but Mt Kenya region.

Former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu warns that nobody in Mt Kenya will succeed at the expense of others, and that the region's political power will be determined by the size of the voting bloc.

"If we make the mistake of breaking into small factions, we shall give the person running the country options of who he can work with when he wants to engage the region. The more options he has, the less power any of those who want to be the kingpin will have," Mr Wambugu said.

"It is time all the leaders jostling for the community kingpin position, however smart and articulate they are, to understand that Gachagua is currently the most senior politician with access and influence within the State, and undermining him will destroy him and our region," said the MP.

But former Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi said that considering the many 'gaffes' made by Gachagua, Wa Iria, if given the resources, is the best bet to contain him in Mt Kenya region.

"We are in politics, and politics is fighting for his niche. Wa Iria seems to be picking from Gachagua's political utterances and utilising them to gain political mileage and it is resonating with people. With resources, he can mobilise in other counties in the region and the conversation will keep moving," said Mr Ngugi.