By Chronicle Nyakato
NAIROBI | In a surprising admission, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday referred to former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the "undisputed king" of the Mt Kenya region, despite the political tensions that have marked their recent interactions.
Speaking during an event, Mr Gachagua acknowledged the loyalty many in the region still feel toward Mr Kenyatta, expressing regret over the 2022 elections when a significant portion of the Mt Kenya electorate did not heed Mr Kenyatta's advice to back opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“The people of Mt Kenya feel bad,” Mr Gachagua said, “because they went against his advice in 2022. He [Uhuru] had made his position clear when he endorsed Raila Odinga.”
Mr Gachagua added that, in line with Mt Kenya's traditions, Mr Kenyatta had spoken with finality.
“In our tradition, a king only pronounces himself once,” he noted. “Uhuru did that when he endorsed Raila.”
The comments mark a significant shift in tone for Mr Gachagua, who has often been critical of Mr Kenyatta since the two found themselves on opposite sides of the political divide.