Gachagua set to unveil 2027 plan

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is working to consolidate the Mt Kenya region vote. [File, Standard]

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to soon end months of speculation regarding his political future.

Gachagua, who has been a vocal critic of the government since his impeachment three months ago, says he is working to consolidate the Mt. Kenya region vote, despite growing political backlash from dissenting voices accusing him of promoting tribalism.

Not deterred by the criticism, Gachagua insists that he is consulting broadly with various stakeholders to ensure that Mt. Kenya’s political direction is not swayed by blind allegiance to any coalition, but rather based on well-structured agreements.

This comes amid reports that Gachagua has been working tirelessly with Mt Kenya counties to solidify the region’s political bloc ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“I assured you that I will offer a way forward by the end of this month. I am listening to the people on the ground. I am consulting with churches, business leaders, the Gen Z, and others to gather their views. I will communicate my decision before the month ends. Some people, however, have vowed not to return to where they came from,” Gachagua said during a Sunday mass in Tetu, Nyeri.

Gachagua revealed last month that he will soon announce which political party he intends to align with. He noted, however, that forming a new party would be nearly impossible, as the process is likely to face significant obstacles placed by the government.

“We will first build our own house. We have learned from past mistakes where we gave everything to Ruto. This time, we will engage with others, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, George Natembeya, and many more. Even Ruto is welcome to join the conversation,” he said in December.

Since his removal from office, Gachagua has been working behind the scenes to put the “Mt. Kenya house” in order, acknowledging the lessons learned from his political missteps.

“We made a huge mistake. I take full responsibility and apologise to the people of Kenya. My job now is to engage with our people. No one can dictate the direction they should take. The people must tell their leaders where to go. My task is to speak to everyone and gather their opinions,” he added.

Gachagua emphasized that the Mt. Kenya region—one of the country’s largest voting blocs—will never be taken for granted again, and that the people will not vote blindly or without a clear direction.

At the same time, he has condemned what he sees as efforts to revive organised criminal gangs in the Mt. Kenya region to sow division and suppress dissent.

“History is repeating itself. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, during Daniel arap Moi’s regime, the government destroyed the economy, became intolerant, and when the people of Central Kenya protested, a criminal gang was unleashed to punish them for speaking out against bad governance,” Gachagua said.

Create chaos

He added that this gang carried out brutal acts of violence, including killings, rapes, and extortions. He said many lives were lost in 2009, and it took then-Internal Security Minister John Michuki four years to bring the gang under control.

“Now that the government is unpopular, a gang leader has been brought here to force people to accept the President and his deputy. He has publicly stated that he was hired by the government to go around the region, coercing people into submission, even escorting those rejected by their own communities,” Gachagua charged.

He called on President William Ruto to respect the people who elected him and find out why they are rejecting him.

“But he should not send criminal gangs to create chaos. You cannot force people to like you, nor can you hire people to push that agenda,” Gachagua added.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned Gachagua and his allies to “stop inciting people against the government, spreading falsehoods, and disrespecting other leaders.”

While he did not directly mention Gachagua, his statement was seen as directed at his predecessor.

“Leadership is not about inciting people. We will not allow anyone to spread unrest or complain without offering solutions. If you have your own issues, deal with them respectfully. I have respected you, and I expect the same in return,” said Kindiki.

Yesterday, at least 25 legislators allied to Gachagua called for an investigation into what they describe as the politicization of the National Police Service and other independent institutions.

“We want an investigation into instances where security forces have been used for political purposes or to intimidate and persecute dissenting voices,” said Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa during a press conference in Nairobi.

The legislators also demanded an inquiry into recent violent incidents involving Gachagua and his supporters, including a chaotic funeral in Limuru in November last year and a teargas incident at Shamata in Nyandarua in December.

Additionally, they voiced concerns over the resurgence of criminal gangs, particularly the Mungiki, which they claim are being used by the State to terrorize citizens and suppress government critics.

“We need to assess the resurgence of State-sponsored criminal gangs, such as Mungiki, which are terrorising citizens and dissenters. These gangs are creating an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness among ordinary Kenyans,” Thang’wa said.

The legislators also raised alarm about alleged State capture, highlighting concerns about government contracts being awarded to individuals close to senior State officials, rampant land grabbing, and the misuse of public resources.

In Nyeri, Governor Mutahi Kahiga expressed his dissatisfaction over Gachagua’s removal from office, stating that the Mt. Kenya region remains upset about the way the former deputy president was bundled out of office.

He also accused former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga of allowing himself “to be used by the government”.

“Our hearts were heavy in 2024, and we want to remind the country that the wounds are still fresh. We have not healed from what happened to Nyeri people. We supported Gachagua to help form the government, but once the job was done, he was abandoned,” said Kahiga.

He emphasized that Gachagua was working closely with grassroots leaders and that the region remains firmly behind him.

“Not even Cabinet appointments will change that,” he said.

Governor Kahiga also rejected Maina Njenga’s calls for Mt. Kenya residents to support President Ruto.

Maina, however, dismissed the notion that the region had abandoned the Kenya Kwanza administration. He insisted that the region remains united in support of the government.