Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s plot to lock out other political parties from the populous Mt Kenya region has triggered a fierce backlash.
And now, Mr Gachagua’s critics are ganging up to front alternative political outfits.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party is being aggressively revived to challenge Mr Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Part of the grand plan includes having former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i run for president on the party’s ticket, an apparent move to deny the former DP a stranglehold on the region.
On Monday, Mr Gachagua accused Mr Kenyatta of enabling President William Ruto to infiltrate Mt Kenya’s political heart during the last election.
“I personally refused that kind of arrangement because I knew that if President Ruto continued to act as the pseudo-kingpin of the Mountain, we risked disintegration and the loss of our political identity,” Mr Gachagua said during an interview on Kameme TV.
The former Mathira MP said that he began protecting the Mt Kenya region’s political interests when Dr Ruto allegedly started sponsoring politicians, especially from Murang’a County, to undermine him.
Odinga’s political bedroom
Mr Gachagua said that his ultimate goal is to make Mt Kenya “like Mr Raila Odinga’s political bastion… where even if his followers lose elections, they still end up in government”.
“Mt Kenya will become like Mr Odinga’s political bedroom, where no two party colours are entertained. That is what I seek to achieve. It is up to those opposed to my vision to go to the ground, sell their alternative and let the people decide whose plan is best,” he said.
He emphasised that while he is not opposed to the formation of new parties, “any outfit that is not aligned with our cause will be fought with passion”.
Mr Gachagua is also opposed to having Dr Matiang’i run on a Jubilee ticket within the opposition coalition, arguing that this would weaken DCP’s bargaining power and influence in Mt Kenya.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua welcomes former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i to his home at Wamunyoro village in Nyeri County on May 4, 2025.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed to Nation that he plans to rejoin Jubilee, just weeks after former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, once a Gachagua ally, also pledged support for the party.
Mr Kuria hinted at going for the party’s secretary-general post that is being held by Mr Jeremiah Kioni. Given the region’s numerical clout and the fact that Mr Gachagua is barred from contesting following his impeachment, Mr Kuria aims to emerge as a key player in the 2027 race.
However, Mr Gachagua’s allies have questioned Mr Kuria’s motives, noting that he already has his own party, Chama Cha Kazi (CCK), which merged with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) under the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Mr Kuria stepped down from the leadership of CCK to take up a Cabinet post in line with constitutional requirements.
“People are uncomfortable with a united Mt Kenya. That’s why you see parties being propped up to divide us. DCP has already declared that all aspirants must be vetted to weed out traitors,” said Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, popularly known as Mejja Donk.
“Why would someone with his own party fight to be secretary-general of another? It’s clear there’s a ploy by people in government to use Jubilee to promote individuals whose sole aim is to divide the region to ensure Ruto wins a second term,” Mr Gathiru added.
Region’s most viable political vehicle
Mr Kuria, however, described Jubilee as his political home, noting that he was elected unopposed in 2014 and re-elected in 2017 under its banner. Though he later fell out with Mr Kenyatta by backing Dr Ruto, Mr Kuria said his differences with the former president were political, not personal.
“I was a founder of Jubilee. My last electoral victory was on its ticket. I’m simply going back home,” said Mr Kuria, who now serves as a Senior Adviser in the President’s Council of Economic Advisers.
“I deeply respect Mr Kenyatta’s measured response to criticism. His unselfish and calm approach to national matters proves his patriotism. I believe I’ll benefit from his guidance as we shape the country’s future.”
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta at the second annual Guild Leaders’ Summit 2025 held at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
On the other hand, Mr Kioni said that those seeking to return to Jubilee will be welcomed but must wait until 2030 to contest party positions. Party insiders hinted at a simmering cold war between Mr Kioni and vice chairperson David Murathe. There are calls for a leadership shake-up to rejuvenate the party.
According to Mr Kioni, Jubilee remains the region’s most viable political vehicle due to its name recognition and the development record of Mr Kenyatta’s administration.
“Jubilee is the next big thing, not just in Mt Kenya but nationally. That’s why people are jostling to join and we welcome them as part of our effort to make the party great again. It’s easier to sell Jubilee compared to some of the new parties that have no track record. We also have a credible presidential candidate in Dr Matiang’i,” Mr Kioni said in an interview.
Mr Gachagua has urged Dr Matiang’i to avoid Jubilee and instead form a new party for negotiations within the opposition alliance. But Mr Kioni dismissed that suggestion as triggered by fear.
“Those advising Matiang’i to form his own party are brokers clinging to regional kingpin politics and are scared of a revitalised Jubilee,” Mr Kioni stated.
Mr Wambugu labelled Mr Gachagua a dictator, intent on reverting Mt Kenya to a one-party State.
Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu addresses congregants during a church service at PCEA Emmanuel Matanya Church in Laikipia County on January 19, 2025.
“Mt Kenya has never embraced dictatorship. Gachagua used State power to bully elected leaders into recognising him as kingpin. Now, out of government, he’s doing the same thing without State backing,” the former MP said.
He claimed that Mr Gachagua has been urging voters to reject UDA candidates and only support those running under DCP in 2027.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, a key ally of Dr Matiang’i, said in a recent interview that Jubilee could be a viable vehicle for the former CS, but only with radical reforms.
“Some members propose using United Progressive Alliance (UPA), but that may appear tribal. Others feel Jubilee can work if it’s overhauled. Gachagua told us himself that his downfall was a lack of a party,” Mr Onyonka said.
Political analysts view the regional tensions as a contest for influence over a voting bloc that could determine the outcome of the 2027 presidential race.
“There are many who want to lead the region, but Gachagua outpaced them. The current moves are a reaction by leaders playing catch-up,” said Prof Macharia Munene, a political analyst.
During the interview on Kameme TV, Mr Gachagua said he now understands why Mr Kenyatta opposed Dr Ruto’s presidency.
“I will expose President Ruto for who he really is: a liar, a manipulator, a dealer and a betrayer,” he said.
He also said his impeachment was a blessing in disguise. “It was a divine evacuation, and God didn’t want me to fall with Ruto. My cup overflowed when I was impeached. I’m now better off,” he said.
