Mt Kenya is emerging as a political battlefront with big shots scrambling to control the vote-rich region more than three years to the next general election.
Heavyweights are fast strategising and activating political networks targeted at controlling the region ahead of the 2027 polls.
The leaders are holding back-to-back meetings with opinion leaders and crucial vote blocs – women and youths – in apparent efforts to consolidate the area.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and youthful politicians led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro are fighting to control the region.
“Every other keen politician will have to look at Mt Kenya. The mountain people will play a key role in determining who gets to power,” Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni said.
Gachagua, the country’s second in command, is not only moving to solidify his backyard to secure his number two slot in the Kenya Kwanza government, but also to position himself as President William Ruto’s successor.
The DP is also fighting to scuttle the influence of Uhuru, whose comeback into the region’s politics could destroy Gachagua's chances to solidify the region.
Things have been made tougher for the DP by the reinvigoration of Njenga, whose political activities have drawn the ire of the state.
Njenga's meeting in Nyeri was scuttled by police last week, days after Gachagua warned residents against attending.
For three days running last week, Gachagua hosted over 8,000 residents at his Mathira home in Nyeri.
Gachagua gifted the residents with foodstuffs including maize and wheat flour, rice and cooking oil for Christmas celebrations.
Speaking in Nyandarua on Tuesday, a tough talking Gachagua vowed they would not allow what he said is the resurgence of Mungiki even if it would cost Kenya Kwanza votes.
"If we will lose votes because of our stand so be it. Criminals will be treated as criminals no matter where you come from.The resurgence of Mungiki will not happen under the fifth administration of President William Ruto,"Gachagua vowed.
He has previously claimed the sect is being propped up by some political leaders.
Even though the DP's meetings were seen as one meant to celebrate Christmas with his neighbours, observers view them as purely political to rally his backyard.
In October, Gachagua publicly declared that he was out to bring together leaders and residents of the region.
“I will lead from the front in ensuring that the leadership of the Mountain continues holding together and will bring on board every leader from the region,” he said.
Already, Gachagua has successfully managed to bring to the fold a splinter Jubilee Party group led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege.
The group has defied Uhuru – and has been fighting to take away Jubilee from him – as he has maintained that he is in the opposition coalition to stay.
The splinter group has shifted allegiance to Ruto with Uhuru loyalists lamenting the state is behind the war in the former ruling party.
“We know who is planning to kill the Jubilee Party and deny the people of Mt Kenya the right to have a party for its political representation in the government," former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi said.
"We are also aware of some deliberate efforts to make the region a one-party region, but we will not allow this to happen,” he added.
The ex- President is the chairman of the Azimio Council, and recently maintained that he is in the opposition to stay.
Uhuru, who was the de facto political leader of the region until 2022 when the residents defied his call to back opposition chief Raila Odinga, is said to have intensified activities to regain control of the region’s politics.
Insiders say he is behind the recent tours of Mt Kenya by the Jubilee group that has remained loyal to him.
Last month, Uhuru met Jubilee politicians from Kiambu county, alongside Raila in a clear indication of his return to politics.
The ex-head of state has also been busy meeting diplomats in what is seen as activating his international networks.
On Tuesday, Kioni admitted to the ongoing scramble by various leaders to control the region’s politics.
The former Ndaragwa MP projected that the region will vote as a bloc – most likely under one party – in the next general election.
“What you are seeing is panic within UDA. They may have come to terms with the fact that Mt Kenya will not be fooled again. The backdoor approach by Kega and Sabina Chege will not work,” he said.
He added, “There will be no trace of UDA in Mt Kenya and it will be very difficult to get anyone run on that ticket in our region.”
In their recent meeting in Kiambu, Jubilee politicians capitalised on the high cost of living and the many taxes introduced by the regime to attack President Ruto.
“The hustler government which had promised to liberate the people has failed to do so. The government has continued to oppress the common mwananchi and we will liberate ourselves by removing them from power,” Mwathi said.
Ruto’s administration has been criticised for unpopular policies and introduction of serval taxes that are not only hitting individuals but also hurting businesses.
Political observer Herman Manyora said Uhuru remains the 'silent' de facto Mt Kenya kingpin but has decided to maintain a low profile.
“In the heart of hearts of Kikuyu nation, Uhuru is still their leader. That is why Gachagua and the young politicians have been unable to inherit the region. They have been boxing a shadow,” he said.
In apparent realisation of Uhuru’s possible influence in the region’s politics, MP Nyoro at the weekend launched a scathing attack on the former President.
He accused Uhuru of sponsoring court cases and opposition protests to sabotage President Ruto’s development plans.
“The former President has been financing protests. You have been sponsoring even the court cases to derail the plan of our President and this government,” Nyoro said.
The vocal MP added, “So, it would be prudent for you to thank Kenyans for the two terms you served as the head of state and stop planning to topple Ruto’s government.”
National Assembly Majority Kimani Ichung'wa, in apparent reference to Uhuru, attacked those he said had captured Kenya for sabotaging Ruto's government.
"The master and architect of state capture, those who thought Kenyans will live forever as their salves, are the ones sabotaging the housing programme," Ichung'wa said.
Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku dismissed as daydreaming any attempt by any political faction to topple Ruto from the region.
“The entire Mt Kenya region is firmly behind Ruto and Gachagua. Any other person holding small meetings in hotels attempting to recapture the region is simply daydreaming,” Ruku said.
At the weekend, police thwarted a political meeting that has been called by Njenga – influential ex-Mungiki leader allied to Raila and Uhuru – and arrested several youths.
The much-publicised meeting was to be held at Kabiru-ini grounds in Nyeri county.
“We will not allow that meeting in our area. Nyeri has been a peaceful county. We are warning all those people who are resurfacing in the name of Mungiki that they will be dealt with accordingly,” Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murugu said.
This came days after DP Gachagua warned the youths against attending the meeting.
Later, Njenga blamed Gachagua for scuttling the meeting, accusing him of political witch hunt which he said was spilling over to innocent youths.
“It bothers me that a Kikuyu leader is using the state machinery to criminalise the same people who supported him during the 2022 general election,” he said.
“By labelling our innocent youths as members of Mungiki, Mr Rigathi is not only setting them up against the notorious police brutality, but he is also setting up the entire community for extinction,” he said.
Yesterday, Gachagua alleged spirited attempts to revive Mungiki but vowed that Ruto's administration won't allow that to happen.
"An attempt is being made now to revamp that criminal gang, it cannot happen. I don’t want our leaders to be intimidated. We have a responsibility to protect young people from being misused," he said.