In the long and storied history of Mt Kenya politics, few leaders have stood out for the wrong reasons as much as the impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
His political style, marked by coercion, intimidation, and tribal rhetoric, sets him apart from the region’s past leaders who, despite their differences, often sought to balance regional interests with national unity.
From the days of Jomo Kenyatta’s unity rallying call for independence, Mwai Kibaki’s quiet diplomacy to Uhuru Kenyatta’s attempts at national cohesion, Mt Kenya’s political elite have traditionally projected an image of moderation and pragmatism. Gachagua, however, represents a sharp departure from that legacy. His politics is raw, confrontational, and unapologetically tribal. A brand of leadership that thrives on division.
Even as he claims to champion the interests of the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua’s approach has often betrayed a narrow, exclusionary mindset.
His rhetoric, couched in the language of Kikuyu empowerment, frequently slips into open tribal chauvinism. Within the United Opposition, he stands out as the only principal with the notoriety to stoke ethnic tension and push a narrative of ethnic supremacy.
During his tenure as Deputy President, Gachagua’s leadership style drew sharp criticism from within his own backyard.
Several Mt Kenya lawmakers accused him of using threats and intimidation to enforce loyalty. Reports emerged of MPs being sent text messages and coerced into toeing his political line under warnings of dire consequences. This climate of fear and manipulation eventually backfired, culminating in his impeachment in October 2024, a rare political rebuke from his own region.
Gachagua’s disdain for dissenting voices was not limited to forcing loyalty. He often resorted to public insults, deriding Mt Kenya MPs as “unread” and “underperforming” compared to their ODM counterparts. Such remarks further alienated his colleagues and exposed a deep-seated contempt for Mt Kenya MPs.
Even after his impeachment, Gachagua’s divisive tendencies have persisted.
On recent tours with the United Opposition in Kisii and Nyamira counties, he referred to Zaheer Jhanda as “Muhindi,” questioning the legitimacy of voters who elected him.
In contrast, Mt Kenya’s political history is replete with leaders who, while fiercely protective of regional interests, understood the importance of national cohesion.
From Kenneth Matiba’s reformist zeal to Martha Karua’s principled politics, the region has produced figures who sought to elevate discourse rather than degrade it. Gachagua’s politics, however, seem anchored in resentment and tribal arithmetic. A regression from the inclusive vision that once defined Mt Kenya’s leadership.
Rigathi Gachagua’s legacy, as it stands, is one of squandered opportunity. Instead of uniting a region and offering a coherent national vision, he has chosen the path of division and intimidation. Today, he has not only alienated his peers but also tarnished the image of Mt Kenya’s political leadership. A legacy that may take years to repair.
