Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has criticized his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua for peddling politics of hate, ethnicity and divisions in the ongoing Mbeere North Constituency by-election campaigns.
Speaking at various stops during a campaign rally for UDA candidate, Leomard Muthende, Prof Kindiki dismissed Gachagua as a failed leader with no clout.
He accused Gachagua of masquerading as Mt Kenya kingpin yet there was nothing to show for it, saying he initiated no development during his short stint as DP.
“He is coming here with his charm offensive for the opposition candidate posing as de facto leader of the region yet he did nothing for you people of Mbeere North during his tenure as Deputy President,” he asserted.
He appealed to the residents to make an informed choice by electing Muthende, saying he was the best bet for them in terms of attracting development in the area and also ensure continuity of the programmes of his predecessor, Geoffrey Ruku, who was elevated to the position of Cabinet Secretary.
He asked the people of Mbeere North to choose unity, development and progress, instead of chaos, empty political rhetoric and disrespect for elected leaders being propagated by the opposition.
“In Leo Wa Muthende, the UDA candidate in the November 27 by-election, the great people of Mbeere North have a solid, development conscious and unifying leader,” he said.
He promised the opposition an epic duel while exuding confidence of a landslide win for the UDA candidate that he said will end the chest thumping by the opposition.
On the other hand, Gachagua who is also in the area campaigning for United Opposition candidate on DP ticket, Newton Karish, has accused the government of hoodwinking residents with projects in a bid to win their votes.
He accused the government of failing residents with empty promises of development projects in the run-up to 2022 elections that has not yet materialissed with less than two years to the next elections.
Gachagua said the government had neglected the area and electing a pro-government candidate was not a guarantee that there will be a change.
He said Karish was tried and tested having been elected as MCA for Muminji Ward for three consecutive terms and thus understands the challenges of the area better to lobby for change.
By Samuel Waititu
