Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has launched a spirited defense of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, warning that political attacks against him in the ongoing Mount Kenya turf wars amount to insults against Kiambu County and Kenya at large.
Her remarks follow sharp criticism from Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala, who accused the Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party of sowing discord within the opposition.
Malala claimed Jubilee was working to undermine the influence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and destabilize the emerging DCP power base in the region.
“Jubilee is working overtime to divide our party and destabilize Rigathi Gachagua’s political base in Mt Kenya. Their scheme is to fracture the unity we are building under DCP,” Malala alleged earlier this week.
Wamuchomba dismissed such claims as misplaced and defended Kenyatta’s record, insisting no party has exclusive claim to the Mountain’s estimated eight million votes.
“Before DCP, there was Jubilee, UDA, DP and others. Nobody owns the Mountain vote. We said before: hatupangwingwi,” she said.
She praised Kenyatta’s decade in office, arguing that despite imperfections, he provided stable leadership.
“He unified the country. He is the undisputed kingpin of the Mountain and he never forced it on us. He is free to bless anyone to succeed him, even if it is not me,” she stated.
Taking direct aim at Kenya Kwanza leaders, Wamuchomba questioned their motives in seeking to inherit Kenyatta’s party. “If you truly believe what you said about him during your swearing-in, why do you want his party? Inheritance is not by force. If you attack Uhuru, you attack Kiambu, and we are watching,” she warned.
She dismissed claims that Kenyatta’s association with former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i amounted to betrayal, saying: “When did you agree that he owes you succession? We live in a democracy and all have the right to associate.”
Calling Kenyatta a “statesman admired by all,” Wamuchomba urged leaders to measure themselves against his legacy rather than demean him. “Kiambu is not a colony of Nyeri. With respect, this trajectory of disrespect must stop. Senator Malala and company must end this careless talk about Uhuru Kenyatta,” she added.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has also defended the former President, insisting his continued role in national affairs is both legitimate and necessary.
