Political Power Play: Gachagua and Ndindi Nyoro’s Rivalry Resurfaces

Power struggles in Mount Kenya politics between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro have resurfaced, once again igniting tensions in Murang’a County.

This county has been a political thorn in Gachagua’s side, as whenever a leader wants to direct opposition politics towards him, they end up in Murang’a.

This week on Tuesday, Gachagua and Nyoro clashed politically in the Mathioya constituency, where they laid out their contrasting political views through visits to flood victims.

After Nyoro arrived and made his donation of 2 million shillings, stating that 1 million was a contribution from President William Ruto, Gachagua landed at the site a few hours later and made his personal donation of 1 million shillings along with blankets.

In his speech, Nyoro stated that he had visited the area as a trusted Murang’a leader loyal to President Ruto, with those accompanying him praising him as the champion of the region’s politics.

Senator Joe Nyutu openly demonstrated the purpose of the visit, saying, “We have brought Nyoro here as a sign that he is the only leader from Mount Kenya who cares for us, and you should also keep him in your thoughts as our leader.”

Nyoro was accompanied by Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo and Murang’a Women Representative Betty Maina.

After Nyoro left the area, Gachagua, who was attending the funeral of the late Archbishop of the Fourth Church of AIPCA, Mathenge Kabuthu, in Nyeri County, arrived in Mathioya at eleven o’clock in the evening.

He was accompanied by MPs from Nyeri, while those from Murang’a avoided the event.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata was absent from Nyoro’s meeting but appeared at Gachagua’s meeting.

As a precautionary measure, Kang’ata had sent his associate and Murang’a County Minister of Youth and Culture, Manoah Gachucha, to represent him at Nyoro’s meeting.

Additionally, Kang’ata had scheduled his own visit on Monday afternoon to campaign independently as a concerned advocate for the flood victims, as they lay in bed at seven o’clock in the evening after landslides occurred and buried them alive.

In his speech, Gachagua complained that he had been unable to visit several areas in Murang’a because he lacked invitations and welcoming receptions.

Gitugi Ward Representative Edwin Mwangi appeared as the local host to welcome Gachagua, a move that saddened him (Gachagua) to the extent that he said, “Despite the people of Mount Kenya seeing me as their king because there is no one else, I often fail to meet the expectations of my people to visit them due to a lack of invitations and receptions.”

Nyoro does not attend Gachagua’s meetings in any area, not even in Kiharu, if President Ruto is not present at these events.

Only on February 10, 2024, did the two attend a political meeting together in Murang’a County after it was said that President Ruto forced them to do so as a way to reduce animosity between them.

Their allies had clashed for two consecutive weeks, with Nyoro’s allies even calling for Gachagua to be fired, not to be nominated as a running mate in the 2027 elections, and not to be the 2032 presidential successor.

“I am the only leader from Mount Kenya with whom you have a leader. These people always wish for me to visit them regularly, but I often fail to fulfill my people’s expectations of visiting them because I lack someone to invite and welcome me. I request that Councilor Mwangi be inviting me here in Mathioya,” Gachagua said during his recent visit.

However, Mugo argued that there was no need for Gachagua to ask for an invitation or reception because “he is a national leader and should not ask for permission while intending to visit us in the grassroots.”

“I was not aware that Gachagua would visit Mathioya that day,” Mugo said.

Nyutu said that there are situations that you cannot hide from the public eye.

“Nyoro is loved at the grassroots, and we will hold him accountable by all means,” Nyutu said.

On her part, Maina said that for now, “we are supporting one of us whom we love and who is Nyoro to achieve development here in the grassroots.”

Maina is married to Gachagua’s ally, Mathira MP Eric wa Mumbi.

This power struggle is now clearly seen to disrupt many issues, even those outside the political arena.