Battle lines as Ruto and Gachagua allies fight for the soul of Mt Kenya

The battle for the soul of Mt Kenya region between President William Ruto and his political nemesis former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has kicked off in earnest.

Gachagua has started identifying his point men and women who may transition into candidates to vie against allies of President Ruto in 2027. He is targeting incumbent MPs who voted for his impeachment motion.

At the same time, Ruto has hatched a counter strategy, and picked former political bigwigs to wrestle the restless region from Gachagua’s grip.

The former politicians appointed to various positions in Cabinet and lucrative parastatals in December last year previously served under former President Uhuru Kenyatta and include Mutahi Kagwe, a former Health Cabinet Secretary who was nominated to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was picked for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, while former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui who will lead the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry if approved by the National Assembly.

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria has also been nominated to chair the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.

Ruto’s nominees, according to political strategists, were aimed at countering Gachagua’s foot soldiers who have been vocal against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

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Kabogo, a former political bigwig, is expected to counter Gachagua’s allies in Kiambu including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa who have been a thorn in the fresh of Dr Ruto’s administration and his foot soldiers led by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa.

In Murang’a County, Wa Iria is expected to neutralise Gachagua’s rising popularity that saw five out of seven MPs opposing his impeachment.

Murang’a is the only county within Mt Kenya that its MPs opposed the former second in command’s ouster.

They included Mary Wamaua (Maragua) Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo) Edward Muriu (Gatanga) Peter Kihungi (Kangema) and Senator Joe Nyutu. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a former staunch ally of Ruto neither proposed nor opposed the impeachment.

Former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura was appointed to head Kenyatta University Hospital board while former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth was appointed chairperson of the National Standards Council for the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Pundits believe this was to sway public perception of Ruto’s administration.

Kagwe, if approved, will be the top most politician from Nyeri in Kenya Kwanza’s administration and will be tasked with cancelling out Gachagua’s influence in his backyard.

He is expected to counter Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia who are Gachagua’s disciples.

In Nakuru, Gachagua’s political soldiers include MPs Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Martha Wangari (Gilgil) and Kimani Ngunjiri (former Bahati MP) and will be facing Kinyanjui.

Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Mureithi’s appointment as KRA’s board chairperson is expected to deal a political blow to Gachagua’s allies in the county who include Senator John Kinyua who has in the recent past represented Gachagua in county activities.

In areas where MPs supported the impeachment, Gachagua has been fielding his loyalists in bid to unseat them in 2027. In Murang’a for example, Women Representative Betty Maina who has been the former DP’s harsh critic, is poised to face off with National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) commissioner Wambui Nyutu.

Former Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga who has been battling court cases, recently has been incorporated in the fight against Gachagua, and has vowed to rally the region into Ruto’s fold.

But John Makau, a political analyst noted that elections based on political waves was to blame for poor performance in the elective posts as the leaders seek to please their political masters and not the electorate.

“When MPs know they are politically correct and that they have pleased their party leaders, they work for their electorate because they will have their way through in party nominations,” Makau opined.