In the heart of Kenya’s politically charged Mt. Kenya region, a storm is brewing, and at its center is former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Once a towering figure in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Gachagua now finds himself on the outside, waging a bitter war of words against the very MPs he once championed. His recent remarks, branding these MPs as “foolish” for their allegiance to President William Ruto, have ignited a firestorm of debate about leadership, loyalty, and the future of Mt. Kenya’s political identity.
As the 2027 elections loom, the region faces a critical question: Can they trust a leader who, in their eyes, misled them into a political alliance that cost him his own seat?
Gachagua’s fall from grace is a tale of ambition, betrayal, and political miscalculation. In 2022, he was a key architect of Ruto’s ascent to the presidency, rallying Mt. Kenya voters to reject former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement of Raila Odinga.
Gachagua dismissed Uhuru’s warnings about aligning with Ruto without a formal agreement or a regional political party, famously deriding Uhuru’s influence as a “dynasty.” Mt. Kenya voters, swayed by Gachagua’s fervor and promises of representation, delivered a landslide for Ruto and UDA.
Yet, just two years later, Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024—spearheaded by the same UDA MPs he helped elect—exposed the fragility of his strategy.
Now, Gachagua is attempting a political resurrection, urging Mt. Kenya to back only leaders loyal to him, while accusing Ruto of betraying the region. His rhetoric is fiery, claiming a “killer squad” was mobilized against him and vowing to ensure Ruto becomes a one-term president.
Yet, his call for loyalty rings hollow to many. Critics point out the irony: Gachagua, who once led the charge against Uhuru’s counsel, now echoes the same advice he dismissed—urging the region to form its own political vehicle to counter UDA’s dominance.
“Our people are done with UDA,” he declared in February 2025, hinting at a new party to be unveiled by May. But the question lingers: Why should Mt. Kenya trust a leader who, by his own admission, was “deceived” by Ruto?
The region’s voters are not blind to this contradiction. Gachagua’s impeachment, fueled by allegations of insubordination and demanding Sh10 billion from Ruto, revealed a leader whose political naivety—or hubris—left him vulnerable.
As Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri noted in April 2025, Gachagua’s focus on “petty politics and vendetta” offers little in terms of better governance. Instead, his campaign to ostracize MPs aligned with Ruto, including threats to block their re-election, has sparked accusations of authoritarianism.
Posts on X reflect growing unease, with one user, @Terriz_Sam, warning of “the creeping rise of authoritarian control” as Gachagua pressures local leaders, entrepreneurs, and even musicians to pledge loyalty or face economic consequences.
The Mt. Kenya electorate now stands at a crossroads. Gachagua’s call to elect MPs who will “work with him” raises a deeper question: Are these leaders meant to represent the region’s voters or serve as pawns in Gachagua’s personal vendetta against Ruto?
His critics argue that his vision prioritizes control over community interests, a charge bolstered by his failure to defend the Kenya Kwanza agenda during his tenure, as Ruto himself pointed out in a March 2025 interview.
Meanwhile, Ruto is doubling down on Mt. Kenya, promising frequent visits and development projects to secure the region’s vote in 2027. Kiunjuri predicts Ruto could still claim 70% of the region’s support, a bold claim that underscores the region’s divided loyalties.
Gachagua’s shadow still looms large, as evidenced by his influence in shielding Mt. Kenya Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries from Ruto’s sackings. Yet, his strategy hinges on a risky bet: that the region’s voters will forgive his past missteps and rally behind his new cause. For many, the memory of 2022—when they heeded his call only to see him impeached—casts a long shadow.
As Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, a former ally, told the Nation, Uhuru’s warnings about Gachagua’s unreliability have proven prescient. “They are now more clever,” Gathiru said, suggesting voters may not be so easily swayed again.
As the 2027 election approaches, Mt. Kenya faces a stark choice: follow Gachagua’s crusade for regional autonomy or stick with Ruto’s promise of development. Gachagua’s narrative of betrayal resonates with some, but his track record of misjudgment and his demand for absolute loyalty risk alienating the very voters he seeks to lead.
In this high-stakes political drama, Mt. Kenya’s decision will not just shape its own future but could determine the fate of Kenya’s presidency. For now, the region watches, wary of a leader whose ambition may outstrip his ability to deliver.
