Gachagua’s Shift Towards Unity in Mt Kenya Raises Eyebrows

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appears to have softened his staunch political stance, extending an olive branch to former President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to foster unity within the Mount Kenya region.

In an exclusive interview with a radio station on Friday, October 6, 2023, Deputy President Gachagua revealed a new willingness to engage in dialogue, indicating a softening of his once-hardline position against Kenyatta.

However, this change of heart has not gone unnoticed, with former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, a one-time close ally of President Ruto, expressing concerns about Gachagua’s recent political maneuvers.

Ngunjiri revealed that both he and Ndindi Nyoro had been sidelined by Gachagua. Despite this sidelining, Ngunjiri voiced no objections, as he had initially supported Gachagua’s bid for the Deputy President’s role.

Nevertheless, he issued a stern warning to Gachagua, advising him against creating fissures in his relationship with his boss, William Ruto.

Read also: Gachagua’s Call for Mount Kenya Unity Sparks Controversy

“I also want to remind the Deputy President that the most important duty after being elected as President is to unite all Kenyans. The President is a symbol of unity and should not be involved in discussions about shares,” Ngunjiri emphasized.

Political analyst and columnist for The Star, Albert Kasembeli, has proffered a theory to explain Gachagua’s apparent change of heart noting that Gachagua’s shift may be a response to mounting signs that the Mount Kenya region is at risk of political marginalization in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections due to internal divisions.

“Gachagua appears to be a worried man, evident from his recent confrontations with President Ruto over issues of shareholding and voter percentages. I can confidently say that things are not going well,” Kasembeli remarked.

Kasembeli also suggested that there might be an unspoken rivalry between Gachagua and Ruto for control over Mount Kenya leaders.

He noted that while Ruto is actively working to retain the support of Mount Kenya MPs ahead of the 2027 elections, Gachagua is equally engaged in efforts to dislodge Ruto’s influence and establish himself as the region’s political kingpin.

Notably, Kasembeli pointed out that Gachagua may feel sidelined by Mount Kenya leaders, as they rarely accompany him to regional events compared to those who support Ruto during his nationwide tours.

Read also:Is Gachagua’s Overture to Kenyatta a Strategic Retreat or a Tactical Maneuver?

However, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangw’a has denied claims of a rift between Deputy President Rigathi and President Ruto, dismissing them as mere creations of social media.

He praised Rigathi’s efforts to unite the region, emphasizing that he is the region’s de facto leader, and there is no harm in him extending an olive branch to former President Uhuru Kenyatta for a handshake.

“Forget about the speculations from opponents; there is no enmity within UDA (United Democratic Alliance), and we are speaking with one voice. I can confidently state that Gachagua is fully in control of the region and uniting its leaders,” Senator Thangw’a asserted.

Thuo Mathenge, the leader of the New Democrats party and Patron of the Kikuyu Men’s Conference, urged Gachagua to consolidate support from all leaders in the region.

He emphasized that uniting the community would be a challenging task for Gachagua alone, and he should seek support from community members, religious institutions, and the political class.

“We have already planned conference dubbed Limuru 3 and we have reached out to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and he is ready to meet Gachagua for community talks, and we are awaiting confirmation of the date,” Mathenge disclosed.

He stressed that failure to speak with one voice within the Mount Kenya region would work to their disadvantage.

Kungu Muigai, the patron of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, highlighted the significance of unity within the Mountain and advocated for support to all leaders.

He emphasized that both Uhuru and Gachagua are sons of Mount Kenya and should be free to act in the best interest of the community.

“Gachagua is right to call for the unity of the Mount Kenya region, and he should be supported,” Muigai concluded.