The United Opposition has challenged Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s political hold of the Mt Kenya region, warning of a plot to use division to destabilise the opposition.
On Friday, Rigathi Gachagua (Democracy for Citizens Party - DCP), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Patriotic Front) and Justin Muturi (Democratic Party) kicked off a three-day tour of Meru County, a day after Prof Kindiki fired a warning ahead of the visit.
The tour is also aimed at popularising former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi's gubernatorial bid.
Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya, who is Mr Linturi’s rival, was absent as he attended the People Dialogue Forum in Nairobi. Mr Munya is a loyal supporter of Jubilee's presidential aspirant, Fred Matiang’i.
While addressing supporters in Chuka, Nkubu and Meru towns, the opposition principals expressed confidence that the Mt Kenya region would unite to vote as a block against President William Ruto.
This comes even as DP Kindiki intensifies his engagements in the region, promising to deliver development projects that his predecessor failed to fast-track.
"The president has given instructions to the Deputy President and (Public Service) Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku to divide the Mt Kenya region into two. However, let it be known that the Agikuyu, Aembu and Ameru are one people. They are indivisible, and in 2027, they will vote as a block," Mr Gachagua said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addressing a gathering at Gakoromone market, Meru County, on March 2, 2026, after inspecting the construction of Meru Level Five Hospital Ward Blocks.
Photo credit: DPCS
But speaking in Meru on Thursday, Prof Kindiki asked the opposition to get ready for a tough political contest centred on who has delivered life-changing projects and programmes for the people during their time in office.
“Every leader is known by the work they do for wananchi. When the time comes, I will show the roads, water, markets, and electricity we have done. And our opponents must be ready to do the same because they were in power before,” he said.
Prof Kindiki promised to show what he has achieved as the Second in Command when the time comes, saying he is not a pushover as some of those opposed to him have claimed.
“You cannot succeed as a leader if the only thing you do is insult leaders, incite people against others, sponsor violence or feed people with empty talk without providing solutions to their challenges,” DP Kindiki said.
Public service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi have been leading the campaign for the recognition of the Isiolo, Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi as a distinct voting bloc, citing betrayal.
United Opposition leaders led by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua address supporters in Embakasi, Nairobi, after attending a church service at PCEA Utawala.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation
But Prof Gitile Naituli says the tendency to retreat to tribal and geographic cocoons is common during every election cycle.
"When expectations are unmet, and development feels uneven, communities understandably begin to ask hard questions: Why them and not us?" Prof Naituli says.
He adds, "The idea that Mt Kenya East only matters when supporting a Kikuyu from Mt Kenya West to get power may resonate emotionally, but it oversimplifies political history. Power in Kenya has never been a monolith within Mt Kenya. Internal competition, elite bargains, and shifting alliances have shaped outcomes more than geography alone."
The rallying call behind the recent clamour has been influenced by increasing opposition against the William Ruto administration in Mt Kenya region.
However, government allies from Mt Kenya East region are accusing their counterparts of lacking passion following the changes in the office of the deputy president.
According to CS Ruku, the Mt Kenya East region has voted in support of the west since independence, and deserved similar backing when 'they are in power'.
President William Ruto and Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki arrive for the launch of the NYOTA Business Capital Support for young businesspeople at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi on January 19, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
"The people of Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu stood with Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. Yet when the Mt Kenya East region has a deputy president, they want to convince us to go to the opposition? This is very unfair," Mr Ruku said.
According to the CS, the Mt Kenya East is ripe for political independence as it has more than 2 million voters.
"We are going to determine our own political destiny as Mt Kenya East. Our neighbours should not deceive us," Mr Ruku said.
The CS is working closely with Mr Aburi, the National Ordinary People's Empowerment Union (NOPEU) Party leader, to rally the region in support of their agenda.
On Friday, Mr Gachagua said the opposition will oversee a major political operation to defeat President Ruto’s allies in 2027.
He said the current administration has failed Kenyans through negative policies, which legislators from the region should challenge.
"As we send President Ruto home in 2027, we will also be firing all leaders who have betrayed our people. It will be 'operation fagia wote'," Mr Gachagua added.
The opposition leaders kicked off their meetings at Chuka town, where they accused pro-government politicians in Meru of plotting to disrupt their rallies through violence.
Their entourage was severely delayed as youths barricaded the Meru - Embu road with bonfires, stones and trunks to stop entry to Meru town.
In Meru town, there was a protracted exchange between two opposing groups as opposition supporters fought to clear the road.
While accusing the deputy president of misleading the region, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they would embrace him if he ditched President Ruto.
"The government is using goons to disrupt our meetings and we have asked the police to take action. Since the fate of this administration has been sealed, I urged Prof Kindiki to jump ship and join us in the opposition. He should not be used to cause violence in his backyard," Mr Musyoka said.
He said he would leverage his past support for former ODM leader Raila Odinga to rally the Nyanza region behind him.
"The Mt Kenya is already united behind the opposition. Since I supported Raila Odinga when it was not fashionable to do so here, I will now talk to Nyanza people to pay back in kind. With their support, the entire country will be united against President Ruto," the Wiper leader said.
He said, if elected, their administration would restore free education and restore constitutional order.
"I want to warn President Ruto against mutilating the constitution, destroying our education and messing with the health sector. This is the reason we are terminating his term in 2027," DP Party leader Justin Muturi said.
They hit out at the President for doubling state house expenditure, accusing the government of wanton wastage of public resources.
"What development projects are being executed by Statehouse? They are spending public funds on handouts and buying loyalty. It is untenable," DCP National Organising Secretary Mithika Linturi said.
