Gossip, Rumours Peak After Raila Meets Governor Irungu Kang'ata

Kang'ata's surprise link-up with Raila Odinga comes just a day after he joined over 40 legislators, led by Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro, who met at a city hotel to discuss the possibilities of his ascension to the Deputy President's office.

At the meeting, Kang'ata was praised for his transformative work in Murang'a County and his quick ascension through the ladders of leadership, from councillor to member of Parliament, to senator, and now governor.

As for Raila, he has played a key role in the reconstitution of President William Ruto's Cabinet, with four of his allies now serving as Cabinet Secretaries (CS) in critical dockets.

His warming up to President Ruto, even though he needs the Head of State's support in his campaign trail for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson seat, has left many wondering if something much bigger is in the works for the five-time general election loser, that is if his AUC bid ends up being unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the rumours are growing louder about Gachagua's possible successors, if the Senate upholds his impeachment, with leaders from the larger Mt. Kenya region scrambling to ensure the seat remains in the region, fuelling tension and divisions among them.

A report released by research firm Infotrak indicated that 2 per cent of respondents preferred Raila to be on the same ticket as Ruto in 2027, even though it put Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as a clear favourite to replace Gachagua if the Senate votes to kick the latter out.

From the Mt Kenya region, Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru is also being fronted as a possible candidate for Deputy President, a position NO woman to date has held in the history of the Republic of Kenya.

Kang’ata, who prides himself on transforming his county, is quietly being backed by a faction of leaders as a potential candidate, signalling a brewing succession battle in Mt. Kenya politics. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is also being fronted for the DP position from the Nyanza region and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi from the Western region.

The current atmosphere indicates that the Legislature and Executive are moving with breakneck speed to ensure that the Gachagua impeachment process is completed and a nominee in place should the impeachment against the current Deputy President get the Senators' nod.

Viral Tea earlier reported that the National Assembly announced that it will hold sittings on Friday, October 18, a day after the impeachment proceedings are expected to conclude. It is then that the Assembly is likely to approve a new nominee named by President Ruto, should the impeachment pass.