Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia has criticized a section of Mount Kenya leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) who have threatened to leave government if Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is denied the Deputy President position.
Speaking on Saturday, February 14, 2025, in Melili Ward, Narok North, during the homecoming ceremony of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) aspirant Martin Ole Kamwaro, Muhia described the threats as baseless and politically insincere.
The legislator said those warning of a walkout over the possible allocation of the deputy slot to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would be walking out alone, asserting that the Mount Kenya region had already politically detached itself from the current administration.
“I am here to tell our members from UDA who we saw yesterday crying all over in Murang’a and Thika that if Kindiki is removed, they will leave government with whom? Who are they walking out with? We already left that government. That is a government of ‘tumbo-crats’; they were only left there for their stomachs,” Muhia said.
She added that leaders from the opposition and those from the mountain aligned to DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua are now advocating for the deputy position to be given to ODM rather than to someone from their own region.
According to Muhia, Mount Kenya leaders have chosen not to engage in regional lobbying for top government positions after being previously branded tribalists for championing local interests.
She questioned why UDA leaders were surprised by ODM’s demands, noting that it was evident from the beginning that ODM would seek a substantial share of government following its cooperation agreement with UDA.
Muhia concluded by saying that her camp would be comfortable with either Oburu Odinga or Gladys Wanga for the deputy position, emphasizing that they no longer wish to be accused of tribal politics.
