Embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is riding on a high wave of popularity in Mt Kenya as his political troubles attracts sympathy from residents.
His popularity is being fueled by Gikuyu musicians and DJs who are singing praises for him and urging him to fight on while DJs are playing freedom and Mau Mau war songs popular during times of trouble for the community.
Gachagua’s theatrics before the impeachment began including the two-hour press conference where he accused his boss President William Ruto of betraying him and being heartless appear to have melted the hearts of his followers in Mt Kenya.
And yesterday, after word went round that Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata was being touted as a possible successor of Gachagua, residents have sent a strong message to him not even attempt.
They said that seat belongs to Gachagua who was Ruto’s running mate and should the impeachment become successful, nobody from Mt Kenya should occupy it.
“If he (Ruto) impeaches Gachagua, he can keep that seat. We do not want it in Mt Kenya. Let him take it to Sugoi, or given it to Oscar Sudi,” said an angry Nyeri resident.
Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri an ardent supporter of DP Gachagua also said the seat should not be retained in Mt Kenya region because it was causing a lot of divisions and that the region now needs peace.
“Let him take that seat away so that Mt Kenya region can have peace. This seat is causing a lot of divisions, and it is better it is taken away,” said Ngunjiri.
His sentiments have been echoed and supported across the region with many people saying they are shocked that President Ruto who had promised never to allow mistreatment of his deputy allowing the impeachment to go on without uttering a word.
Gachagua said in the past there was no way the impeachment could go on without the nod from his boss implying that President Ruto was fully behind the process.
And as muscians and DJs continue to whip up emotions in support of Rigathi, popular gospel musician Ben Githae known for his popular tunes that shape political discourse has released a song curious titled “nyakati za usaliti” (seasons of betrayal).
The song is seen is a direct rebuke of the massive betrayals currently facing not just political figures but even the ordinary people who were promised lots of goodies and a better life but have found themselves in deeper troubles that they were in the past.
Githae says everywhere one turns its betrayals upon betrayal and asks God to help His people identify traitors who are roaming all over the place.
