Why I was impeached – Rigathi Gachagua
"We were not getting along with the President.”
5d agoBRIAN ORUTARealtime
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his successor Kithure Kindiki at a past event / FILE
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his successor, Kithure Kindiki, are locked in a political battle for control of the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.
Kindiki recently stepped into the public arena to assert his authority, setting the stage for a showdown.
Since assuming office, Kindiki has worked to reclaim Kenya Kwanza’s influence in Mount Kenya. His recent bold moves in Nyeri and Embu counties were perceived as a test of the political waters ahead of President William Ruto’s anticipated visit to the region amid growing rebellion.
Ruto’s absence from Mount Kenya’s political landscape has fuelled speculation that he has entrusted Kindiki, a native of the region, with the task of salvaging Kenya Kwanza’s dwindling fortunes. However, Kindiki faces significant hurdles, given Gachagua’s unwavering influence.
On Monday, Kindiki attended a boda boda summit in Embu, just hours after touring Kieni constituency in Nyeri county to commission road projects.
His allies hailed the visits as major successes. Unlike Gachagua’s often electrifying roadside rallies, Kindiki’s meetings had moderate attendance and lacked the intense enthusiasm that accompanies Gachagua’s engagements.
Notably, the DP refrained from direct attacks against Gachagua during his tour, instead emphasizsng development as his primary focus.
“Time for campaigns will come, but for now, it’s about development,” he told residents in Runyenjes.
Despite this, Kindiki’s efforts to woo Mount Kenya remain an uphill battle.
Kindiki announced substantial investments in the region, including Sh17 billion for road infrastructure and Sh8.7 billion for last-mile electricity connections.
Behind the scenes, Kindiki has been actively meeting political leaders from Mount Kenya at his Karen residence. Although these meetings are officially labeled as development planning sessions.
Attendees from Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Nakuru counties have participated, signaling an aggressive push to counter Gachagua’s mounting influence.
During a recent consultative meeting with Tharaka Nithi leaders, Kindiki took a swipe at the former DP’s claim that President Ruto would be a one-term leader.
“Some individuals are obsessed with making Ruto a one-term president. Really? And then what? How can that be a leader’s primary motivation?” he said on January 29.
While Kindiki portrays these Karen meetings as development-focused, the growing political rift is evident. With access to state resources, he is slowly but steadily carving out a political base within Mount Kenya, despite MPs’ reluctance to openly defy Gachagua. Meanwhile, Gachagua has adopted a markedly different strategy.
Rather than relying on state resources, he is leveraging his deep-rooted connections at the grassroots level. His Wamunyoro residence has become a political powerhouse, hosting high-profile meetings with leaders and 2027 aspirants eager to align with his camp.
These meetings have reportedly instilled fear among Kenya Kwanza-affiliated MPs, who worry that Gachagua’s surging influence, coupled with his anti-government rhetoric, could sway the electorate ahead of the next polls.
To consolidate power, Gachagua has been courting 2022 UDA aspirants who lost nominations, independent candidates and members of rival parties such as Jubilee.
Observers argue that his grassroots-centric approach and commanding oratory skills give him a significant advantage over Kindiki.
Political analyst, Alexander Nyamboga, believes that Kindiki would be wise to avoid direct confrontations with Gachagua.
“Gachagua is a master of wordplay and grassroots mobilisation. Kindiki simply cannot match his political firepower,” Nyamboga said.
The former DP is planning to unveil a political party for the region in the coming weeks. Nyamboga says the new party will collaborate with other regional leaders to form a formidable alliance against Ruto’s bid for a second term.
On February 9, Gachagua will address the Mount Kenya region in a joint interview across all vernacular radio stations to outline the way forward.
He delayed unveiling his party, initially promised on February 2, due to what he said is overwhelming national interest beyond Mount Kenya.
“I am late in announcing Mount Kenya’s direction, and I apologise. I thought only the mountain was interested, but the goodwill is overwhelming nationwide,” he said in Mathioya, Murang’a county.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, a key Kindiki ally, has dismissed Gachagua’s push for a new political party as premature.
“Other regions are discussing development, yet here in Mount Kenya, we are caught up in endless political squabbles. Why the hurry?” Njuki said at a recent cultural event in Meru.
Njuki further accused Gachagua of undermining the government and attempting to isolate Mount Kenya from development initiatives.
“We fought hard to win government in 2022, and now we are being told to abandon it after just two years? That is unacceptable,” he said.
As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the Kindiki-Gachagua rivalry is intensifying. While Kindiki leverages state resources, Gachagua relies on deep grassroots connections to chart an alternative political path.
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a close Gachagua ally, argues that Mount Kenya is no longer aligned with Kenya Kwanza.
“The ground is shifting towards Riggy G.Those still in Kenya Kwanza are simply buying time before defecting,” Gakuya said.
The ex-DP has openly declared that Mount Kenya will not succumb to political intimidation or blackmail to vote for Ruto in 2027.
In a recent interview, he dismissed Kindiki’s influence, stating, “I won’t waste time engaging him. I am an elected leader, while he is an appointee. I have my own mission.”
Gachagua has also criticised Kindiki’s meetings at Karen Residence, alleging they are fuelled by political bribery.
The 2027 election will ultimately determine which of these two political titans emerges victorious in the high-stakes battle for Mount Kenya’s loyalty.
