As the politics revolving the ouster of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua rage on, university and college students from Mt Kenya region have waded into the matter that’s steadily raising political temperatures in the region.
The students under the Mt Kenya College and University Students Association (M-CUSA) are endorsing the impeachment of the second in command, arguing that he has ‘done so little’ for the two years he has been in office.
The students led by the National Chairman Pharis Jane have at the same time called on President William Ruto to ensure that he picks a deputy from the region while reminding him of his promise to prioritize and uphold women leadership in the country.
They threw their weight behind Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, saying she is the best suited leader to assume the role of Deputy President should Gachagua be kicked out of office.
Jane said that Waiguru has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership from the time she served the country as the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution. They highlighted establishment of Huduma centres, Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) among others as some of the successes achieved under Waiguru’s stewardship.
He averred that Waiguru’s ability to navigate complex national matters as a two-term Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson and her international appeal makes her the ideal leader to represent Mt Kenya region on the national stage.
“We believe that having Governor Waiguru as the next Deputy President will not only strengthen the region’s voice in the government but also ensure that the needs of the youth are prioritized,” Jane said.
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The students wooed Mt Kenya region residents, political stakeholders and leaders to support Waiguru to rise to the coveted seat.
Wanjohi Njoroge from Murang’a County insisted that they want a leader who will spearhead development projects as well as lobby for revival of stalled projects in the region including the Mau Mau road projects.
Njoroge claimed that for the two years that Gachagua has been at the helm of the region’s leadership, Mt Kenya has witnessed underdevelopment including stalling of key projects like the mau mau road, Kennol-Sagana-Marua road, Ruiru-Githunguri-Uplands road among others.
His sentiments were echoed by Joan Murigi, a student leader at Kenyatta University who affirmed that Mt Kenya region requires a robust infrastructure including proper road networks, electricity and digital connectivity to sustain its economic growth.
“This will be realized when we have leaders with sober mind at the top leadership positions. We believe in the importance of strong and capable leadership to champion the interests of our region,” Murigi said.
Richard Gichira from Nyeri County said that they region has a vacuum of strong leadership to fight for its interests including Agriculture, a sector he noted has been infiltrated cartels who have left tea, coffee, macadamia and avocado farmers languishing in poverty after toiling and moiling hard in their farms.
“We had been promised that cartels who have dealt farmers huge losses will be wiped out. On the contrary, the cartels seem to have boldened. Our region is in dire need of a firm and decisive leader who will free farmers from the dungeons of cartels,” Gichira said.
By Kamau Njoroge
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