The battle for the soul of Mt Kenya is expected to go a notch higher in the coming months as rival camps plot to win over the region ahead of 2027.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his successor Kithure Kindiki, both from Mt Kenya, are going for each other’s jugular as the duel takes shape.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba told the Star that the region knows too well the stakes that are in the 2027 general election.
“It is clear that our people of Mt Kenya region are woke and will no longer buy any rhetoric that divides them for selfish political gains and in the fullness of time we shall speak in one voice,’’ Wamuchomba said.
Wamuchumba, a key ally of Gachagua, said the region regrets rallying behind Kenya Kwanza without a home-grown political vehicle in 2022, leading to what she termed as betrayal.
There are indications that the region is gravitating towards Gachagua, presenting a major headache for Kenya Kwanza forces who have kept off the region as the former DP consolidates.
Gachagua was unceremoniously removed from office as the country’s second in command in October.
The former DP’s ejection has brought a fresh twist to the politics of the Mt Kenya region with the Kenya Kwanza government’s popularity seemingly under threat.
Gachagua has intensified his aggressive efforts to tilt the scales against Ruto with back-to-back meetings with prospective aspirants and key players ahead of 2027.
Besides, Gachagua has intensified schemes to plan rivals to take on pro-Ruto politicians across Mt Kenya, tipping the region for hot-baton politics in 2027.
Gachagua has transformed his Wamunyoro residence in Mathira into his political nerve centre with heightened meetings, while Kindiki is planning to counter him.
The DP has been attending church and other social events appealing to woo the region back while lashing out at Gachagua and his allies.
However, MPs allied to Ruto’s camp have avoided criticising Gachagua while keeping a low profile in a bid to avoid facing the voters’ anger.
Naivasha MP Jane Kihara said Mt Kenya will reject attempts to divide the people along regional lines ahead of 2027.
“Be assured that the people of Mt Kenya will punish severely any betrayal and speak in one voice in 2027,’’ she said.
There are also reports that a reorganisation is in the offing that will see some veteran politicians from Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi join the government.
The move is aimed at controlling the damage occasioned by Gachagua’s removal from office especially by consolidating Mt Kenya East, where Kindiki hails from.
Mt Kenya East has a combined vote bloc of slightly over 1.3 million votes, according to the electoral commission’s 2022 voters register.
In 2022, Meru had 772,139 votes, Embu 334,302 and Tharaka Nithi had 231,932.
On Thursday, political analyst Muthomi Ndumba said Mt Kenya is expected to be the centre of political fights in the coming months.
“What we shall be seeing is a situation where Gachagua will seek to flex his muscles while Kindiki will assert his authority as the country hurtles to the 2027 elections,’’ Ndumba said.
With Kindiki and Gachagua appearing to be the faces of the antagonistic forces in the region, the battle lines are drawn as the race for 2027 takes shape.