Kang'ata meets Raila, MPs as DP replacement speculations escalate

As Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appeared before the Senate over his impeachment trial on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga held a meeting with Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata.

The meeting between Dr Kang’ata and Mr Odinga set tongues wagging with speculations that it was centred on DP Gachagua’s succession if the Senators decide to axe him from the country’s second-in-command position.

Under the broad-based government, Odinga is said to have President William Ruto’s ear owing to the fact that he was able to include some of his top brass in Cabinet.

“The Right Honourable former Prime Minister Raila Odinga invited me this morning for consultations. We had a good discussion on national cohesion and the progress we have made as a country under devolution,” wrote Kang’ata on X after the meeting.

More speculations were precipitated on Tuesday when the Kang’ata met with a section of MPs at a Nairobi hotel. This was the day that the DP was appealing to court to stop his impeachment proceedings at the Senate.

Dr Kang’ata has served as Councillor, Kiharu MP, and Murang’a Senator before clinching the Murang’a Governor seat during the August 9, 2022, General Election.

National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro was present at the meeting, fueling rumours that it had the blessings of President Ruto.

MPs present declined to provide nitty-gritties of the meeting, as Mr Osoro and Dr Kang’ata waded away from the DP succession topic during the media interview.

“Governor Irungu Kang’ata has risen through the ranks so occasionally we usually have such kinds of meetings with progressive leaders to share with us their experience with leadership,” Mr Osoro said.

“How is it possible for one to become a councillor, then a member of parliament, a senator and then a governor, and of course he is among the best 10 performing governors we have in Kenya,” he added.

When questioned why he was meeting the MPs drawn from a cross-section of parties, the governor said: “When I was in Parliament, I made so many friends and today I just came to see my friends.”

DP Gachagua has since fallen out with his boss--President Ruto.

He was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024, after facing 11 charges, including gross violation of the Constitution.

But Gachagua termed the charges leveled against him as “outrageous and politically motivated” and vowed to fight until the end, relying on the courts to save him from his removal from office.

When he appeared before the Senate for the impeachment trial session chaired by Speaker Amason Kingi on Wednesday, Gachagua denied all the charges.

Names of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga are also being touted as possible pick incase the seat falls vacant.

The DP has vowed to fight his ouster to the end.