President Uhuru Kenyatta's allies have distanced themselves from allegations of poor mobilization after his tour of Nyeri raised concern about the head of state’s popularity in the area.
Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, a close ally of President Kenyatta said that the turnout at the said shopping centre was low since the president had just come from a function with thousands of residents.
The Head of State had attended a special service at PCEA Tumutumu Church to celebrate 100 years since the Ordination of the first 43 African Church Elders in 1920.
“The President had a meeting of over 5,000 people in the same constituency - 1km away from the said stop. The Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua was not involved in that mobilization. The President then chose to stop and talk to a small crowd on his way to his choppers. Again said the MP wasn’t involved in mobilizing,” the Nyeri MP explained.
The Mathira MP, whose constituency Uhuru visited, claimed that his arrest on Monday, October 27 was linked to the low turnout at Giagatika Shopping Centre in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County.
“I cannot be blamed for poor mobilisation in a meeting that I was not involved in planning. The people of Mathira kept off to protest the organisation of a meeting in their area by outsiders,” Rigathi posted on Facebook, adding that the blame squarely fell on Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu and President’s Delivery Unit Secretary Andrew Wakihiu.
However, a source close to Wakahiu revealed that the PDU boss was not involved in the tour since he was in isolation after contracting Covid-19.
“Andrew Wakahiu has not been at work for the last nine days. If it is necessary to know, he has been in isolation and is recovering well at home,” Victor Gichohi a close friend of the PDU secretary explained.
He added that the Mathira MP was looking for a scapegoat and was arrested over the suspicious Ksh12 billion transactions linked to him.
Rigathi, a loyal supporter of Deputy President William Ruto, was left out of the welcome party that received President Kenyatta during the function.
Nyeri Woman Rep Rahab Mukami, another DP ally in Nyeri, also remained seated inside the venue as government officials welcomed the head of state.
The two also skipped the BBI Launch at Bomas of Kenya at which the DP was jeered after criticising some of the recommendations in the proposals.
