Kang’ata sparks DP talk succession with surprise Raila meeting » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 16 – Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s reemergence in national politics is sparking speculation about his potential candidacy for Deputy President if the current holder, Rigathi Gachagua, is impeached by the Senate.
The once outspoken critic of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration is now raising eyebrows, with many wondering if he could be Gachagua’s successor.
Since retreating to focus on Murang’a after his election as Governor, Kang’ata has largely stayed out of the national spotlight.
However, his meeting with opposition leader-turned-government ally Raila Odinga on Wednesday has fuelled speculation about his political ambitions.
“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,” Kang’ata wrote on X after the meeting.
The former Prime Minister, who recently secured Cabinet appointments for four of his top allies, is said to have President William Ruto’s ear, fueling speculation that his meeting with Kang’ata was no coincidence.
With President Ruto remaining silent on his deputy’s impeachment, intense lobbying is underway, with Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru emerging as top contenders to succeed Gachagua.
However, Kang’ata, who prides himself on transforming his county, is quietly being backed by a faction of leaders as a potential candidate, signaling a brewing succession battle in Mt. Kenya politics.
Leaders from the larger Mt. Kenya region are scrambling to ensure the seat remains in the region, fueling tension and divisions among them.
The Raila-Kang’ata meeting took place as Gachagua’s impeachment trial began in the Senate, where he denied all charges.
Gachagua, who has fallen out with President Ruto, was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024, facing 11 charges, including gross violation of the Constitution.
Defiant, Gachagua has labeled the charges as “outrageous and politically motivated” and vowed to fight until the end, relying on the courts to clear him.
Until Gachagua is officially impeached, the race to succeed him remains speculative, with potential candidates emerging but no clear front-runner.
President Ruto will ultimately have the final say on the next pick, leaving the Mt. Kenya region in suspense and on edge.
About The Author
