Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has told President William Ruto not to elbow out his county from the country’s top decision-making table following the ouster of Mr Rigathi Gachagua from the position of Deputy President.

Mr Kahiga argued that Nyeri County, where the former DP hails from, overwhelmingly voted for the Kenya Kwanza administration, adding that it should not be excluded by the top leadership.

Mr Kahiga said that the county residents acknowledge and welcome the new leadership of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki who succeeded Mr Gachagua.

“It is good that we tell the President, while being here in Nyeri, that now that you have removed Rigathi Gachagua from the government, does it mean we are still in government or not?" Mr Kahiga said.

"We are asking the President to start thinking on how he will consider the people of Nyeri. Whatever happened should not mean that Nyeri should be left out of the map of the government of Kenya,” he added.

The county boss was speaking at Abundant New Life Church in Nyeri town where he hosted several governors for his thanksgiving ceremony, following his attainment of PhD.

He recently graduated from Kenya Methodist University with a Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Education Management.

Mr Kahiga said the county voted overwhelmingly for President Ruto to clinch the country’s top leadership seat during the August 9, 2022 General Elections, and that it should not be edged out of the government.

“We (Nyeri residents) overwhelmingly casted our votes for this government. Will our votes just go away like that or we will be left to watch as others eat? There are three years remaining and the people of Nyeri voted to build this government. Governor Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), when you meet the DP, tell him and we are okay with his new role,” the governor said.

Though he wished Dr Ruto the best as he governs the country, Mr Kahiga hinted that Mr Gachagua would soon bounce back in the political arena.

“As we move forward, we wish the President all the best in everything that he does. But let me tell you with a lot of conviction, that the end of one thing is usually the beginning of another bigger thing… and what shall be, shall be,” Mr Kahiga said.

“We want peace and the progress of our nation. This is because a nation is bigger than us as individuals,” he added.

Mr Kahiga is a key ally to the immediate former Deputy President.

Governors who were present during the Saturday event – Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma) and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) – urged Mt Kenya residents to move on and maintain peace.

Mr Cheboi said ‘the region should cease mourning’ over Mr Gachagua’s replacement from the country's second-in-command seat and instead focus on building the nation.

“Kenya is moving forward. As people of this region, you cannot continue ‘crying over spilled milk’. We need to unite and build this nation moving forward,” the governor said.

Mr Njuki said the entire country is closely watching the vote-rich region on whether it will remain calm and embrace Dr Kindiki’s leadership or engage in political animosity.

“Kenya is watching closely whether there will be division among residents of Mt Kenya West and Mt Kenya East. This mountain has never divided us. In fact, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi counties have routes to scale Mt Kenya to the peak,” Mr Njuki said.

DP Kindiki is from Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County, in Mt Kenya East while his predecessor – Mr Gachagua – is from Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, in Mt Kenya West.

“I want to tell you my friends from Nyeri that we all belong to the bigger Kenya. Governor Kahiga and I will always remain friends. The people of Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi should also remain friends. After all, we are all facing the same problems as people. We should instead focus on discussing critical issues that unite us rather than those that divide us,” Mr Njuki said.

Prof Kindiki was sworn in last Friday, a day after the High Court lifted orders barring his inauguration.

His predecessor, Mr Gachagua, was impeached by Parliament last month but moved to court to challenge his removal from the top office and replacement.

But on Thursday, a three-bench judge lifted Prof Kindiki’s swearing in, arguing that the position of Deputy President should not remain vacant in accordance with the country’s Constitution.

On his part, Governor Sang said: “I have no doubt in my mind that Governors Kahiga and Njuki will unite this region. We urge this region to support the transformation of Kenya and set aside divisive politics. No region should be left behind in terms of development.”