It came as a surprise to DP Gachagua when Moses Kuria separately met ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Mombasa, meetings whose agenda could only be speculated. According to sources, Kuria implored both Raila and Kalonzo to whip their senators to save Mwangaza. For those who keenly watched the senators from Azimio debate the motion, it seemed true that they were whipped, as claimed. Unlike the first impeachment, where only Kenya Kwanza senators saved Mwangaza while Azimio legislators voted for her removal, this time both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza senators voted to save her
By The Weekly Vision Team
A political supremacy battle in Mount Kenya region between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria played out in the open during the failed impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza in the Senate last week, with CS Kuria having the last laugh. According to those well versed in the controversial impeachment process of Governor Mwangaza, DP Gachagua’s secret hand was all over the push to have her removed from office, while CS Kuria publicly defended the governor to the chagrin of the DP and his inner circle.
The fallout between Kuria and the DD began in the run-up to the last elections after Kuria publicly declared his support for Prof. Kithure Kindiki as William Ruto’s running mate against Rigathi Gachagua. It did not end there, as Gachagua also sought revenge against Kuria during the Kiambu gubernatorial campaigns when he publicly campaigned for Kimani wa Matangi against Kuria. Kuria has, however, claimed that despite not supporting Gachagua to be Ruto’s running mate in 2022, he threw his weight behind him when he was finally picked. The DP had also publicly claimed that a Kiambu politician who had contested for the gubernatorial seat in the 2022 elections (read Moses Kuria) hated him for having backed Governor Wamatangi.
The rivalry went a notch higher after the elections when President Ruto allocated the Mount Kenya region some ministerial slots, according to sources, President Ruto proposed Moses Kuria, but DP Gachagua held a dissenting opinion, preferring someone else. The matter landed in Moses Kuria’s ears, hence the hatred.
The political battle went even higher after it was alleged that it was DP Gachagua who lobbied President Ruto to transfer Kuria from the powerful and lucrative trade docket to that of public service. Kuria again promised revenge on the DP. Immediately after being transferred, he posted the photo of the DP on his X handle, but with no caption. This was understood by some to mean that he was blaming DP Gachagua for the transfer.
The power struggle was again witnessed over the Mount Kenya kingship debate, with CS Kuria publicly saying that the fact that the DP was the senior politician from the region does not necessarily make him an automatic kingpin of the mountain. Kuria went on to meet former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and indirectly supported his claims of being the region’s kingpin. Last week, the political fallout took a drastic turn after Kuria came out to lobby senior political leaders and senators to defeat the impeachment motion against Governor Mwangaza. This was after it was claimed that the DP was supporting the Meru MCAs and other Meru politicians in their push for Mwangaza’s removal.
It came as a surprise to DP Gachagua when Moses Kuria separately met ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Mombasa, meetings whose agenda could only be speculated. According to sources, Kuria implored both Raila and Kalonzo to whip their senators to save Mwangaza. For those who keenly watched the senators from Azimio debate the motion, it seemed true that they were whipped, as claimed. Unlike the first impeachment, where only Kenya Kwanza senators saved Mwangaza while Azimio legislators voted for her removal, this time both Azimio and Kenya Kwanza senators voted to save her.
Immediately after the speaker announced that the motion had been lost, Kuria rushed to parliament to celebrate with Mwangaza and her supporters. Kuria was quick to share photos with Mwangaza in solidarity by holding her hand. To show that he has floored the DP and his allies, he took to his X handle and posted, “The devil wins battles. The Lord wins the war.”.
The DP is said to have been embarrassed by the outcome of the Senate vote, and one question that remains unanswered is whether Kuria’s move to lobby both Raila and Kalonzo had the blessings of President Ruto. Sources now say that Mwangaza, who is now having the last laugh against the MCAs, holds a secret card against the MCAs should they attempt to make a third attempt to impeach her.
Sources say that Governor Mwangaza’s last card against the MCA is to invoke the provisions of Article 192 of the Constitution and propose the suspension of the County Government of Meru. Although the process to suspend a county government is rigorous, Kawira is aware that the MCAs might not be ready to face the electorate for a fresh election out of fear of losing their seats. The MCAs are most likely to bury the hatchet against the governor and work together until the end of their term.
The MCAs are also aware that since Kawira now seems to enjoy the backing of President Ruto, Raila, and Kalonzo, she is likely to retain her seat if fresh elections are called, which would make her even more powerful. Analysts say that if Meru County is suspended and fresh elections are held, Kawira could face off with former governor Kiraitu Murungi, who has since ditched Azimio for Kenya Kwanza. However, with the backing of Ruto, Raila, and Kalonzo, it will be an uphill task for the external forces pushing for Mwangaza’s removal to succeed.
