DP Gachagua Urges UDA Politicians to Halt Succession Politics

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on politicians from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to cease ongoing succession politics. These activities are heating up and threatening to disrupt government operations even before the completion of two years in office.

The Deputy President is appealing to MPs and other leaders to support President William Ruto in achieving the Kenya Kwanza administration’s objectives.

This plea comes amidst public disagreements between Mr. Gachagua and some MPs from the Mt. Kenya and Rift Valley regions, strongholds of the UDA government.

“These succession politics are meaningless, unhelpful, unnecessary, and irritating,” Mr. Gachagua said in Kericho on Saturday.

Mr. Gachagua emphasized his role as a key pillar in Ruto’s government, urging Kenyans to ignore politicians who do not believe in the UDA philosophy and are trying to disrupt the party.

“The critical task for leaders now is to assist the President in achieving his goals. Discussions on who will lead the country in 2032 should be put aside for now,” Mr. Gachagua stated.

Speaking at a church fundraising event at PMCA, Kipkok, Soin Sigowet constituency, the Deputy President noted that Kenyans have high expectations from the Kenya Kwanza government and that leaders should not waste time on divisive politics that could lead to national disunity.

“We have no reason to engage in succession politics now. We need to stop these discussions because we haven’t even governed for two and a half years,” Mr. Gachagua said.

“We have our agenda as a party, and those who are not with us should leave us alone. We will stick to our plan, lead from the front, and unite people while implementing our goals,” he added.

At the event attended by Kericho Governor Erick Mutai, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Soin Sigowet MP Justus Kemei, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno, Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, former Mosop MP Vincent Tuwei, and Kericho County Assembly Speaker Patrick Mutai, Mr. Gachagua stressed the need for unity within the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Politics is a game of numbers. We don’t subtract, we add because we aim to expand our base,” Mr. Gachagua said, emphasizing that UDA aims to reach the grassroots level.

Senator Cheruiyot stated that there is no conflict within UDA, as what is happening is an embrace of all democratic principles in the political arena.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting called by the party aims to accelerate grassroots election leadership and address emerging issues. It has nothing to do with internal party disagreements,” Senator Cheruiyot said.

Governor Mutai, MPs Ngeno, Kemei, and Beatrice Kemei emphasized the need for leaders to support Dr. Ruto and Mr.

Gachagua and avoid divisive politics.

They stated that residents and leaders from the Rift Valley, a political stronghold of Dr. Ruto, should maintain unity within the UDA party and the Kenya Kwanza administration.

UDA Party Disputes

The dispute within the party has intensified recently, with the situation worsening due to threats from Secretary-General Cleophas Malala. Mr. Malala announced that he would take disciplinary action against Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba, escalating the party conflict.

Recently, the relationship between Dr. Ruto and Mr. Gachagua has appeared strained. Public attacks on the Deputy President by MPs reveal deep-rooted fissures within the ruling party.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba has been notably bold in confronting Mr. Malala shortly after he publicly rebuked her and other politicians.

“I think what bothers you is our demand for ‘resource equality’ (one person, one vote, one shilling), an issue you and your colleagues use as political bait. Mt. Kenya residents believed UDA would fulfill this promise,” Ms. Wa Muchomba told Mr. Malala.

She continued, “The party is called the United Democratic Alliance, which means it was founded on democratic principles, particularly freedom and equality. You have the freedom to do what you want. I’m glad you’ve embarked on a journey that won’t be easy for you.”

“Where I come from (Mt. Kenya)… we are not afraid. We die while chewing a razor blade. If you touch the hill, you will shake the mountain,” Ms. Wa Muchomba asserted.

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago have urged Rift Valley leaders to tone down their attacks on Mr. Gachagua, which have caused cracks and concern within the party.

“It’s unfortunate that some young and inexperienced politicians from the Rift Valley have made it a habit to attack Mr. Gachagua in public forums. These attacks should stop, and the Deputy President should be accorded the respect he deserves,” Professor Barchok said.

Mr. Mandago added, “We must be cautious about the unity of UDA because we are increasingly being ridiculed in the political arena. We founded UDA under very difficult circumstances and made it a strong party that Kenyans supported in the last general election. Please, let’s not destroy it ourselves.”

“We must be careful as leaders not to cause divisions within UDA, a party we founded and sold to Kenyans who elected Dr. Ruto and Mr. Gachagua as President and Deputy in the last general election. Party leaders and members must respect the presidency in every way,” Mr. Ngeno said.

“An attack on Mr. Gachagua is an indirect attack on Dr. Ruto, which should not be allowed as it is a sign of indiscipline,” Mr. Ngeno added, noting that their goal should be to unite the citizens and achieve the Kenya Kwanza government’s objectives before the next general election.