The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party has publicly thrown its support behind Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with Kalonzo Musyoka making a notable declaration on Friday.
In an address that has stirred significant political interest, Kalonzo assured Gachagua that the opposition would oppose any efforts to impeach him.
“This is the first time I am sitting next to the DP and I confess that I admire his fighting spirit,” Kalonzo said.
“To those dishonourable members of parliament (dishonourable according to him for allowing the controversial Finance Bill 2024 to inch closer to becoming law), I say this: If you try to move an impeachment motion against Gachagua, the leadership and members of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party will shoot it down,” he said.
Kalonzo further clarified that the only motion the opposition would consider is one aimed at the joint removal of both President William Ruto and Deputy President Gachagua.
This declaration has set the political scene abuzz, especially considering that former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who supported Azimio in the 2022 elections, is still technically a member of the coalition.
Gachagua has been making efforts to reconcile with Kenyatta, even publicly apologizing for derogatory remarks made during the campaign period.
Kalonzo’s support for Gachagua follows Raila Odinga’s endorsement of Gachagua’s “one man, one vote, one shilling” mantra, which calls for equitable resource distribution.
This stance has put Gachagua at odds with President Ruto’s inner circle, particularly Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Chief Economic Advisor David Ndii, who oppose the mantra.
Raila’s support has fueled speculation about a potential alliance between the Mt Kenya region and Azimio, raising eyebrows among political analysts.
The context of Kalonzo’s statement is also significant. It comes just weeks after he was hosted by the Kikuyu Council of Elders, led by chairman Wachira Kiago.
After their meeting in Kiambu County, Kalonzo expressed a desire to “bridge the historical gap between the Agikuyu and Akamba who treat each other as athonua (in-laws),” while Kiago emphasized the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the same event, Gachagua, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, and other political figures, including DAP Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Kiambu governors Ferdinand Waititu and James Nyoro, were present.
The newly consecrated bishop, Benson Gathungu, also pledged his support to Gachagua.
“We will never tire of supporting you and if your opponents continue to push you to the wall, feel free to always run back home here in Mount Kenya and we will follow you in any direction you want us to go,” he declared.
Waititu, speaking candidly at the event, revealed internal dissatisfaction within the Mt Kenya political faction regarding their alliance with President Ruto.
“We in Mt Kenya must at all times protect our victorious Gachagua from the wars being waged on it by President William Ruto’s close allies in partnership with some of our traitors here in the mountain,” he said.
Waititu went on to express regret over their 2022 electoral decisions.
“We now regret how and why we supported Dr Ruto in 2022, especially with the biggest fallacy of our time of going into the election without a political party and also with a pre-negotiated written pact with him.”
He hinted at exploring new alliances for the 2027 elections, mentioning Kalonzo as a potential candidate for collaboration.
Gachagua has recently voiced concerns about being undermined by individuals close to President Ruto and has accused some members within the Mt Kenya community of betrayal.
He referred to these individuals as “Tukunia, Ngati, Komerera and Kunda Ngutume (good-for-nothing traitors).”
The support from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition and the internal dynamics within the ruling coalition highlight the complex and evolving nature of Kenya’s political landscape.
As the country moves closer to debating and voting on the contentious Finance Bill 2024, these developments add another layer of intrigue and potential shifts in political alliances.
