Beats, votes and influence: Is Nyandarua the new frontier of Mt Kenya politics and music?

JM was assassinated for being overly critical of the Jomo Kenyatta regime especially on matters of wealth creation where he bashed the idea of amassing wealth for elites as the commoners wallowed in poverty.

Today, a new political sensation in the name of Nyandarua Senator John Methu has emerged and at the age of 34, he is coming out as the trusted hands of the opposition leader, Mr Rigathi Gachagua.

For the three weeks that Mr Gachagua has been away in the USA, Mr Methu has been at the forefront of the opposition campaigns, appearing to be winning over many hearts.

“This is certainly a rising star. We as the elders are happy to see our flock of political bulls gaining a sustainability supply… At 34, Mr Methu amazes us with what he is doing and we extend our blessings,” said Kikuyu Council of elders Chairman Wachira Kiago.

Senator Methu’s rise mirrors that of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro who back in 2022, at the age of 38, was a key figure in then Deputy President William Ruto’s campaign team.

Read: Hurdles facing opposition’s bid to unseat Ruto in 2027

And when Mr Gichagua fell out with President Ruto, Mr Nyoro’s name was among those that were fronted as possible replacements as Deputy President.

However, Mr Nyoro's math did not work out and his fortunes have since dipped significantly. For his constant criticism, Mr Nyoro has been completely alienated by the powers that be in the Kenya Kwanza government.

“In the past, we have been looking upon Murang'a County to shape the political discourse of Mt Kenya region on the strength of its status as the cradle of the Mùgikuyu,” says former Provincial Commissioner Mr Joseph Kaguthi.

According to Kikuyu folklore, the first Agikuyu couple, Gikuyu and his wife Mumbi, resided in Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine in Kiharu Constituency and gave birth to nine daughters who went on to found the community's nine clans.

The nine daughters Wanjirũ, Wambũi, Njeri, Wanjikũ, Nyambũra, Wairimũ, Waithĩra, Wangarĩ, and Wangũi. Some versions of the story mention a tenth daughter, Wamũyũ, also referred to as Warigia or Wanjũgũ, and who never got married.

Route to liberation

According to Mr Kaguthi, other than being a fertile region famous for the production of potatoes, cabbage and milk, Nyandarua is also considered strategic in Mt Kenya politics.

It is the only county, Mt Kenya region that elected two Jubilee Party members as MPs, namely Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop) and Njuguna Kiaraho (Olkalou).

When it comes to music, Nyandarua has forcefully controlled the charts through lyrical tunes of Jose Gatutura, who goes by the stage name is Machete. Nyandarua is also home to another young sensation—DJ Fatxo whose real name is Lawrence Njuguna Wagura.

“We of course value competition... the music industry is evolving rapidly… Nyandarua is rising but we appreciate that we are one and we encourage all who are talented to continue revolutionalising our beat... it is good and we wish Nyandarua well,” says Talented Musicians and Composers' Organisation chair Epha Maina.

Back to politics.

According to former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, its Nyandarua that started the resistance against President Ruto’s rule and all the other regions are now playing catch-up.

“When other leaders were busy calling me, the son of Nyandarua, a mad man for wearing a sufuria on my head to protest this rule of hunger, I was praying that one day they would see clearly,” Mr Kioni said.

“Nyandarua is today shaping the 2027 route to liberation by insisting that all Mt Kenya counties must speak in one voice, have one command centre to guide us on how and who to vote for,” he explained.

“We, as Nyandarua people, have placed our bet on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i as the tentative, most ideal candidate to battle President Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Dr Matiang'i remains Jubilee Party’s property and we are determined to have him named the compromise opposition candidate, although we are also open for consensus talks.”

On the other hand, Senator Methu, on behalf of Mr Gachagua, appears more inclined to the presidential bid of Wiper Patriotic Party's leader Mr Kalonzo Musyoka.

Read: Opposition drafts power-sharing scenarios in bid to unseat Ruto

This comes as the cradle that is Murang'a sinks further into political confusion with political parties coming up said to be sponsored by some political actors to serve as competing special purpose vehicles in 2027.

“It is true that we appear to be following Nyandarua towards getting a signal of where to throw our lot. Today, Nyandarua appears to be the headquarters of our two most promising candidates - Dr Matiang'i and Mr Gachagua being campaigned for by Mr Kioni and Mr Methu both from Nyandarua county,” said Democratic Congress youth leader Gladys Njoroge who hails from Gatanga constituency in Murang'a.

“Our previous promising Young Turks from other Mt Kenya counties have not measured up to the required standards amid rising political temperatures. Nyandarua county is today carrying the presidential aspirants on its back all the way to the ballots and it can be safely said it is gaining the image of the political beast of burden,” she said.

At the same time, Mr Methu said it is not necessarily about Nyandarua but a son from the region seriously taking the patriotic duty of liberating the country.

“It is only a coincident that I and Mr Kioni are from Nyandarua, speaking the national language of liberation, hoping that we will all converge as Kenyans, and not as the sons of Nyandarua, to midwife a new sensible Kenya for our people,” Methu said.

[email protected]