By Wanja Waweru
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claims to have helped former Kieni Member of Parliament Kanini Kega win a seat in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Speaking while at a burial in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County, on Friday, DP Gachagua asserted that he had persuaded the Kenya Kwanza MPs to support Kega, a member of the Azimio alliance and a supporter of the Jubilee Party.
“Jana mmeona mimi nimeongea na hawa viongozi wa Mlima na kuwaambia huyu Kanini Kega alikuwa anatukana Ruto…lakini wampigie kura. Si wamempigia?” He posed.
“ Hiyo ndio Kenya mpya tuko nayo.”
(“I spoke to the leaders from the mountain, I told them Kanini Kega was insulting me and President William Ruto (but) they should just vote for him. Did they or did they not vote for him? That is the new Kenya we want.”)
Gachagua continued, stating that the political season was over and urging the MPs from the Mount Kenya region to band together in support of the government.
He suggested that the Central region put aside its differences in an apparent attempt to entice the rival Azimio MPs to leave the area.
“Mambo iliyopita hatutaki kufanya. Let us unite the Mountain and speak in one language,” he urged.
“I am telling you that you have no idea the amount of respect you have brought back to the community. It will go a long way to our descendants… to about 200 years to come.”
He added: “On behalf of President Ruto, thank you for voting for him and restoring a lot of respect to the mountain that we are truthful people, who keep our word.”
In the Thursday EALA elections, Kega made it to the top three by garnering 197 votes behind Kennedy Musyoka (son to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka) who led with 262 votes and Raila Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga who came second amassing 247 votes.
