Speaking amid renewed debate over Mt Kenya’s place in national politics, Ichung’wah argued that attempts to credit Gachagua with “negotiating” for the region misrepresent the political reality of the time.
According to him, voters in Mt Kenya made a conscious and voluntary decision to back Ruto, driven by shared political values, trust, and a belief in the Kenya Kwanza agenda rather than promises extracted through backroom deals.
Ichung’wah stated that the narrative of negotiations risks portraying Mt Kenya as a region that traded its votes for personal or regional gain, something he firmly rejected.
He maintained that the support Ruto received was overwhelming and organic, reflecting genuine confidence in his leadership rather than transactional politics.
In his view, the electorate was motivated by economic concerns, governance issues, and dissatisfaction with the outgoing administration, not by elite-level negotiations.
The remarks come against the backdrop of growing political tensions following Gachagua’s impeachment and subsequent fallout with President Ruto.
Since his removal, Gachagua and his allies have increasingly positioned themselves as defenders of Mt Kenya interests, arguing that the region has been sidelined despite delivering massive votes to Kenya Kwanza.
Ichung’wah’s comments appear aimed at countering that narrative and reaffirming loyalty to the president.
Ichung’wah emphasized that leadership is about collective responsibility, not individual credit-taking.
He noted that while Gachagua was part of the winning team as Ruto’s running mate, it was inaccurate to claim that he single-handedly delivered Mt Kenya or negotiated special terms on its behalf.
According to the Majority Leader, such claims undermine the agency of voters and exaggerate the role of individual politicians.
He further warned against using Mt Kenya politics as a tool for personal survival or revenge following political setbacks.
Ichung’wah argued that constantly framing the region as aggrieved risks entrenching victimhood and distracting from development priorities.
Instead, he urged leaders to focus on supporting government programs aimed at economic recovery, job creation, and cost-of-living challenges.
The region remains a critical battleground, with competing narratives about loyalty, betrayal, and representation shaping public discourse.rewritten to serve shifting political interests.
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