Luhya Leaders Urge Ruto: Make Mudavadi Deputy President
The impeachment motion targeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked intense debate in western Kenya, with leaders disagreeing over who should replace him if he’s removed from office.
Some members of Parliament from the region have initiated a campaign to have Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi appointed as the next deputy president if Mr. Gachagua is ousted.
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka and Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo are spearheading efforts to push for Mr. Gachagua’s removal while advocating for Mr. Mudavadi to succeed him.
On Saturday, the two MPs described Mr. Mudavadi as “the safest and least threatening pair of hands” in Kenya’s modern political landscape.
Mr. Aseka argued that since Mr. Mudavadi currently holds the third highest-ranking position in the government, it would be only fair for him to move up to the second position should Mr. Gachagua be ousted.
“In government hierarchy, if the president leaves office for any reason, the deputy president automatically assumes the position. The same principle should apply to the deputy president’s office, allowing the third in command to ascend to the second rank,” Mr. Aseka explained.
Their proposal further complicates President Ruto’s decision regarding a new deputy, as Mt. Kenya presents several potential candidates for the position.
These candidates include Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Mr. Nabulindo suggested that Mt. Kenya faces significant challenges in maintaining control over the deputy president’s seat while asserting that Mr. Mudavadi deserves the position due to his extensive experience in governance.
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“He has served as vice president, held senior ministerial positions, and was once a deputy prime minister. No other politician in Kenya has such credentials. Therefore, Mr. Mudavadi should be appointed as the next deputy president,” he stated.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala expressed confidence in the Luhya community’s ability to provide qualified leaders for the deputy president position if given the chance.
“If the opportunity comes to us as the Luhya community, we will gladly accept it and work towards our plans for 2032,” Mr. Khamala said.
However, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula insisted that the position should remain with the people of the Central region and be given to a Mt. Kenya leader.
Mr. Savula also stated that the Luhya community was not interested in the deputy president role if Mr. Gachagua is impeached by Parliament.
While some Luhya leaders support Mr. Gachagua’s impeachment, Mr. Savula mentioned that the majority were not interested in assuming the position if it became vacant.
“As Luhyas, we are satisfied with the positions held by our leaders—Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cabinet members like Wycliffe Oparanya and Deborah Mulongo, and other roles such as parastatal chiefs. Our focus is on 2032 when we will rally behind a Luhya candidate,” Mr. Savula added.
He emphasized that the deputy president position should remain in the Mt. Kenya region.
“We will make a major announcement as leaders from Western Kenya that we are not interested in the seat. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is well-suited to replace Mr. Gachagua if he is removed,” he said.
Mr. Khamala also noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration and President Ruto have the prerogative to decide on Mr. Gachagua’s potential replacement.
Luhya Leaders Urge Ruto: Make Mudavadi Deputy President
