In a series of high octane events reminiscent of the proverbial beginning of one’s end, panic has gripped Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu’s executive after detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission summoned one of them to record a statement over graft.
Now Deputy President Wiliam Ruto has decided to dump Waititu.
Keen observers will agree before his current tribulations, Waititu was a key face in Ruto Tangatanga rallies across the country.
But recently he was missing in action during Ruto visit in Nyandarua and Nairobi Riruta area.
To complicate matters for Waititu was the recent heckling of the governor at a function. Governor Waititu was humiliated after angry traders heckled him over failure by the county government to build Githurai 45 market. The traders accused the governor of failing to fulfill his promise to build the market if elected after the 2017 polls.
Ruto and Waititu in Githurai
By last week, facts were emerging that William Ruto had called Waititu and told him to remain silent in both local and national politics.
Ruto had been advised by his strategists that befriending Waititu was becoming counterproductive and was costing him the populous Kiambu vote bloc.
It must be noted that when Waititu was linked to corruption by senators, Ruto came to the governor’s defence. Then even when he was arrested, the DP’s scathing attack on the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Public Prosecution for witch hunting came home telling. Waititu has been loyal to Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid as other members of Tanga Tanga group have been falling along the road side.
An insider with Tanga Tanga told Weekly Citizen that Ruto was specific that Waititu is loyal to him during their meetings but was of the view that the governor has to keep off his meetings. “What happened to Waititu at Githurai 45 shocked Ruto the way President Uhuru Kenyatta was shocked when then governor William Kabogo was heckled in front of him ahead of 2017 general elections,” divulged our source.
Insiders say, Waititu is not eager to defend his seat 2022 and Ruto will be forced to shop for another face. The DP may decide to engage Kabogo or Senator Wamatangi or Waititu deputy James Nyoro.
Kiambu politics, the hometurf of Uhuru, is leaning towards Ruto and the way the DP plays his cards will help him consolidate his status in the region. Analysts say that Ruto’s strategists should reach out to current MCAs and those politicians who lost.
Waititu has been creating a barrier by sidelining those not allied to him. Ruto should engage Kigo Njenga who lost Gatundu North seat, Karungo wa Thang’wa former MP and of course Kabogo, political pundits say.
Also being blamed for Ruto’s dwindling political fortunes in the county is Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa. Already, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria once associated with Ruto camp has deserted. Other MPs from the area are Mburu Mwangi (Lari), Peter Mwathi (Limuru), James Kamau (Kabete), Paul Koinange (Kiambaa), Jude Njomo (Kiambu), Gabriel Kago (Githunguri), Simon Ng’ang’a (Ruiru), Patrick Wainaina (Thika Town), Francis Waititu (Juja) and Annie Wanjiku (Gatundu North).
The women rep is Gachomba wa Muthoni who does not see eye-t- eye with Waititu. State House is favouring Nyoro in 2022 race to succeed the incumbent whose political star is gradually diminishing after the recent events in his career.
