Kandara MP Alice Wahome, one of the Mt Kenya MPs affiliated with Deputy President William Ruto on Monday admitted that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech on Sunday had left her and her colleagues scared.
Wahome said she was aware that the speech was targeted at her and her colleagues who support Ruto – but said it was unfortunate for the President to use such angry language.
The legislator said it would have been better if President Kenyatta had talked to the MPs in a more conciliatory tone since they represent his people.
“It is unfortunate that the President can use such language. We are elected leaders and we have an equal platform, it is true we are elected on the Jubilee ticket.
“That does not give him the right to ridicule elected leaders because we represent the people. He was intimidating people who have a different opinion from where he says he wants to take the people, I see him as undermining democracy because there is nothing left now, we are scared. Even my colleagues are worried for me,” Wahome said amid uproar from her panelists on NTV morning show.
The Kandara legislator said the President’s speech would attract responses as most of those in Ruto’s camp were “watching their backs”.
Other prominent Mt Kenya politicians in Tanga Tanga include Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
With regard to Kenyatta’s agenda, Wahome said the President had failed to consult and engage the region’s MPs in deciding where he wants to take the region.
“There has not been a meeting where he told us where he wants to take Mt Kenya, are we supposed to guess?” she said.
Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, who previously declared himself leader of the Tanga Tanga squad – agreed with Wahome saying “ni kubaya” (things are bad).
Onyonka said he had abandoned Tanga Tanga because Ruto refused to abide by the President’s directive to stop 2022 campaigns.
“I told him (DP Ruto) if the President tells you slow down you slow down but he never listens that why I left him,” Onyonka stated.