The Villager Movement: A Harbinger of Political Transformation or Tribal Entrapment?

The recent emergence of the “Villager Movement,” spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has triggered significant tremors within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

As Gachagua staunchly advocates for the “one man, one vote, one shilling” revenue formula, he faces considerable backlash for allegedly playing the ethnic card to secure his political base in the Mt Kenya region.

The Deputy President’s unwavering focus on Mt Kenya has drawn criticism from several quarters within UDA, with National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa leading the charge.

Ichungwa’s remarks underscore a growing frustration within the party: “We will not build our nation if we still want attention from our villages.

Let us build that nation where we need and seek the attention of Kenya, not the attention of your villagers.” This statement encapsulates the ideological rift that is intensifying within the ruling party.

Gachagua’s rebuttal to this criticism has been to form the “I’m a Villager Movement,” a campaign underscoring the importance of grassroots support.

The movement has seen Gachagua’s supporters don T-shirts and caps emblazoned with the slogan, while Ichungwa’s faction counters with merchandise bearing the phrase “My village is Kenya.” This symbolic clash has extended to social media, where both sides wage a vigorous campaign to win hearts and minds.

The crux of the issue lies in the interpretation of the “bottom-up” economic model, a cornerstone of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Proponents like Maragua MP Mary Waithira argue that unity and development must start from the grassroots.

“We can’t call for unity without starting from the bottom,” Waithira asserts, likening Gachagua’s efforts to the biblical journey of Jesus from Nazareth to the world.

However, Gachagua’s focus on Mt Kenya unity has not been well-received by all, particularly in light of the broader national agenda.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki have voiced concerns about the potential divisiveness of Gachagua’s rhetoric.

Mudavadi’s recent remarks highlight the perceived discord: “How can it be that when the President is bringing honor to our country from abroad, you are dragging him from behind with tribal remarks?”

The debate over the “one man, one vote, one shilling” formula has also rekindled concerns about equitable resource distribution.

Critics argue that such a formula could exacerbate regional disparities. Kindiki’s caution against this approach reflects fears of rekindling sectional interests that the framers of the Constitution sought to avoid.

Despite these criticisms, Gachagua remains resolute in his mission. Speaking at the Annual Akorino Conference in Nakuru, he reiterated his commitment to Mt Kenya’s unity: “Unity is built from the grassroot level starting from the family and extending to the village, sub-county, county to the national level.”

In conclusion, the “Villager Movement” symbolizes a pivotal moment in Kenyan politics, where the balance between grassroots mobilization and national unity is being fiercely contested.

Whether this movement will fortify Gachagua’s political aspirations or fragment the UDA’s cohesive front remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that this debate has set the stage for a broader conversation about the future of political and economic equity in Kenya.