Gatundu South MP GG Kagombe has disclosed that a prayer by Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Bensuda at a recent Naivasha retreat exposed political maneuvering around the Deputy President’s role.
The retreat, held earlier this week, brought together leaders from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to review the government’s four-year performance. However, Kagombe told a local radio station on August 13 that Bensuda’s prayer appeared to carry a political message rather than a spiritual one.
"We were told the retreat would focus on the four-year scorecard, but during the prayer by Joyce Bensuda, it became clear there was an agenda," Kagombe said. He recounted that Bensuda prayed, "Oh God, even as we lobby for this Deputy President, we pray that you help us." This statement, according to Kagombe, triggered murmurs among attendees, signaling unease with the underlying political intentions.
The remarks highlight rising tensions within the broad-based government, especially concerning arrangements for the Deputy President position ahead of the 2027 General Election. The current Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, is at the center of ongoing speculation about potential changes.
Kagombe, increasingly critical of UDA and President William Ruto’s political direction, has expressed uncertainty about the political party he will use to seek re-election, explicitly ruling out UDA as his choice.
Joyce Bensuda, a senior ODM figure, has been collaborating with the Kenya Kwanza administration under the broad-based government framework. She notably supported the 2024 impeachment motion against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kagombe’s account shifts the narrative of the Naivasha retreat from a routine government review to a forum where key political strategies, including lobbying for the Deputy President role, were actively unfolding.
