Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has publicly dismissed concerns over Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political future, stating that losing power after one term would not be the end of the country.
Speaking on Friday, June 20, 2025, during a public function in the Kapseret constituency, Sudi scoffed at Gachagua over his recent remarks about political betrayal and succession plans ahead of the 2027 polls.
“If we go for one term, will the country die?” Sudi posed, questioning the growing anxiety in some political quarters over the possibility that the current leadership may not secure a second term.
His remarks come amid visible tension between President William Ruto’s troops and the United Oppposition Alliance camp who are determined to triumph in the upcoming contest.
Gachagua has in recent weeks intensified his rhetoric around what he describes as Mt Kenya’s rightful place in government, insisting that the region must not be shortchanged in the next election cycle.
But Sudi, a staunch ally of President Ruto, has scolded the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, saying he is playing emotional politics urging leaders to focus on service delivery rather than early campaigns.
“This business of crying every day, saying we have been betrayed or we are being sidelined, is not helping anyone. Let’s do our work and let the people judge us,” Sudi said.
One term verbal sparring
He insisted that the presidency was not an entitlement, adding that Kenyan politics had evolved past regional entitlement and ethnic bargaining.
“No one has a permanent position in power. Leadership is given by God and endorsed by the people,” he said.
However, Sudi warned against using ethnic loyalty as a political tool, saying it risks dividing the country and distracting the government from its development agenda.
“Every time you stand to speak, you are crying about your tribe. Is that what leadership has become? Let’s talk about roads, schools, water, and how to grow our economy,” he said.
He called for sobriety in political discourse, noting that ordinary Kenyans were more concerned about the cost of living and job opportunities than about who occupies the State House.
“People out here are suffering. They don’t care who becomes president if their children can’t go to school or put food on the table,” he added.
The MP also dismissed claims that those criticising Gachagua were out to undermine him after his ouster.
“Politics is not about friendship or feelings. It’s about facts. If someone makes a mistake or takes the wrong direction, they should be told the truth,” the MP said.
Sudi urged politicians to give President Ruto space to implement his development agenda without being distracted by 2027 succession politics.
“The president needs our support to deliver. We cannot start new campaigns now when people are still waiting for the promises we made in 2022,” he said.
The MP said leadership should be viewed as service and not a lifelong entitlement.
“If you serve for one term and do it well, history will remember you. But if you fight every day for another term and achieve nothing, what’s the point?” he posed.
