Ruto defended over accusations by Gachagua on EALA MPs election

Communication Authority of Kenya Board Member Okengo Nyambane has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of exercising theatrics of tribalism during East African Legislative Assembly(EALA) Members of Parliament election held in November 2022.

Nyambane who was one of the candidates proposed by Kenya Kwanza Alliance for election defended President William Ruto against accusations by Gachagua that he hatched a plot to ensure that no candidate from Mount Kenya region was elected to the Arusha based parliament.

 He said that when the list for EALA list was made his name had been presented as a candidate representing the broader western region with the president's intention being clear which was to ensure regional balance which was shelved at the instigation of the former Deputy President.

 “The theatrics and tribalism surrounding the East Africa Legislative Assembly cluster game were orchestrated by two well-known individuals—one still serving in government and the other, a former deputy president, now peddling lies about the entire incident,” said Nyambane.

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 He said that what he endured in the corridors of State House as he lobbied for the EALA seat is something he would not wish upon his worst enemy and that up to this moment he still asks himself what he did to the UDA party to deserve the humiliation he faced.

 Nyambane said that when tribalism reared its ugly head he was thrown into a game they referred to as ‘clustering’ with the ultimate goal being to put him head-to-head against Maina while it was very clear that the President had wanted him to get the seat.

 He said the President had emphasized regional balance, but the former Deputy President overturned everything objecting to most of the candidates in the list who had been put there to ensure regional balance as the President had advised.

 “In my generation—most of us—do not define ourselves by tribe, we believe in unity and collective progress, I thought we were a team, united in the mission to work tirelessly for our party's success, some of us gave everything and unwavering support to secure a win for our party,” said Nyambane.

 Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said that President Ruto had hatched a plan to shortchange the Mount Kenya region during the election of East Africa Legislative Assembly Members of Parliament leading to the region candidates losing in the first round of voting.

Gachagua speaking recently said he confronted Ruto over why his supporters had not voted for a candidate from Mount Kenya region despite his supporters voting for the President’s ally Zipporah Kering and failing to reciprocate by voting in Gachagua ally Maina Karobia who was their candidate.

“The President told his people not to vote for a candidate from Mount Kenya for EALA despite them having a majority stake in Kenya Kwanza, he asked me to respect to respect the decision made by Parliament, I told him point blank he had shortchanged us,” said Gachagua.

He said that he summoned legislators from the Mount Kenya region to his office and asked them to overturn the decision that had denied them representation in the East Africa Legislative Assembly asking them to vote for Karobia and Kanini Kega who emerged victorious.

During the election held in Parliament buildings in Nairobi two years ago Kenya Kwanza members elected to EALA include Hassan Omar, David Sankok, Zipporah Kering,Maina Karobia and Falhada Dekow.

Azimio Members elected to the regional Parliament include: Kennedy Kalonzo,Winnie Odinga, Suleiman Shahbal and Kanini Kega.