Manyatta lawmaker John Mukunji says Ruto succession talk ‘demonic’
Manyatta lawmaker John Mukunji has criticised leaders from central Kenya for engaging in succession politics barely a year after President William Ruto assumed office.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) affiliated lawmaker says it is ‘too early’ to talk about who could potentially succeed President Ruto, who was elected as Head of State in 2022 and could potentially remain in power until 2032.
Rigathi Gachagua currently holds the Deputy President (DP) position, after he was elected alongside President Ruto during the 2022 presidential elections.
While acknowledging that Kenyans have a democratic right to discuss the political situation in the country, the lawmaker explained that the country should instead concentrate on development agenda.
“The Mount Kenya region must be very careful because it seems we have been demon-possessed to fight our leaders,” he warned.
He urged his colleagues from Central Kenya to emulate their colleagues from the Rift Valley where President Ruto hails from.
“We must know we have been given the second in command in this country. We should, therefore, give him space and respect because anyone who wants to reach up there must respect others”.
Mukunji, who chairs the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association (KYPA), added, “As the chair of youths in parliament, Riggy G (referring to DP Gachagua) should be given space. All those talking of 2032 want our region not to get developments,” expressing concern about potential hindrances to regional development.
A faction of UDA MPs recently endorsed Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro to deputize President Ruto in 2027 for his second and last term.
This move has been criticized by Gachagua’s supporters as a tactic to undermine the second in command.
Nonetheless, Mr Mukunji has called on the DP, Mr Nyoro (who doubles up as the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair), and the Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu MP), to convene an urgent meeting to deliberate on the way forward for the Mt Kenya Region.
Despite his concerns, Mukunji acknowledges that both Ndindi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki are suitable candidates for the deputy position in 2027.
Also read: More pain on the payslip as Court of Appeal gives greenlight to SHIF levy deductions