Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu on Thursday, June 5, opened up on his strained relationship with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with whom he enjoyed a cordial working relationship.
Njunjiri spoke during a morning TV show where he appeared to hint that the rift between himself and the former DP stemed from conflicting ideologies and leadership styles.
According to Ngunjiri, who once served as Gachagua's communication strategist, Gachagua's principles were difficult to agree with.
“We are not together. I don’t agree with him on principle,” Wambugu said, subtly referencing recent remarks by Gachagua, who recently formed his own political vehicle.
He went on, “He has repeatedly claimed that DCP will be the only party in the Mount Kenya region. While that may be his way of promoting his new party, I come from Jubilee, a party that has existed for nearly a decade. Our differences are political, but I respect his right to express his views.”
Ngunjiri, a former Nyeri Town MP, has been openly critical of Gachagua's strategy to consolidate the Mount Kenya region under the Democracy for Citizens' Party (DCP), labelling it undemocratic and dismissive of other political players in Kenya.
Before the TV appearance, Ngunjiri took to his Facebook to question Gachagua's history with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The former MP poked holes in Gachagua's calls for the 'mountain' to unite as he accused his former boss of deepening the cracks in the Mount Kenya region when he campaigned for President William Ruto in the build-up to the 2022 general elections.
Ngunjiri also insisted that the Jubilee Party, despite being sidelined in recent times, still had a say in Mount Kenya.
Gachagua, in an apparent effort to regain political favour with Uhuru, who still holds significant influence in the Mount Kenya region, recently came to the defence of the Jubilee Party leader after Kenya Kwanza allies launched attacks against the former Head of State.
During a recent church service on May 4, Gachagua pointed an accusing finger at his former boss, President William Ruto, whom he accused of sending proxies to attack Uhuru.
“If you continue using these young men to insult the President, the next time you come here, I will tell the people to also come for you," Gachagua warned.
