Cracks in United Democratic Alliance(UDA) appear to have widened after a Mt Kenya Member of Parliament openly defied President William Ruto’s order.
Despite Ruto banning regional caucuses, Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya warned that it was impossible for Mt Kenya leaders to adhere to the directive.
Appearing for an interview on Kameme TV on Thursday, February 2, Gakuya noted that the caucuses Ruto was fighting contributed largely to his August 2022 election victory.
He added that the meetings brought unity and not cracks among the leaders as alleged. MPs also shared their common problems, while seeking long-lasting solutions.
“He sees this as a threat, but we, as Mt Kenya leaders, cannot stop meeting. As part of UDA, we are supposed to present our issues to National Assembly leader of the majority, Kimani Inchung'wah. Still, we have our regional issues which don't have to go through a registration process,” he noted.
The UDA MP further added that they feared some of their grievances would not be addressed if they failed to meet as regional leaders.
“We have to sit down and discuss it and come up with data, then present it to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. We might keep quiet, and some of these issues will be forgotten.
"Currently, I am the Mt Kenya chairman. Caucuses help us to bring Mt Kenya together,” he added.
The regional meetings projected a rivalry between Gachagua and Musalia Mudavadi, with the latter also accused of consolidating Western Kenya.
Ruto asked MPs to channel their grievances through the parliamentary leadership in efforts to quell a simmering rebellion against Kimani Ichung’wah and Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro.
The head of state banned caucuses and refuted reports alleging that he wanted to tame Gachagua, who is out to unite Mt Kenya.
“When the President asked us to shun regional caucuses, he only underscored the need of not preaching tribalism.
"He wants us to coalesce as Kenya Kwanza lawmakers and not as regions,” Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi clarified.
