Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses congregants during a church service at PCEA Emmanuel Matanya Church in Laikipia County on January 19, 2025.
Jomo Kenyatta, the founding president of Kenya had Ichaweri and his successor Daniel Moi Kabarak, where they received guests and strategised their political manoeuvres. People also visited these power shrines to pay their respects.
President William Ruto occasionally hosts delegations at Kamagut and more recently at his Narok farm, as does ODM leader Raila Odinga at Opoda farm in Bondo.
In many instances, politicians have used names of their villages to capture the national imagination. And now there's a new kid on the block that is the emerging nerve centre of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua: Wamunyoro.
Mr Gachagua continues to stir the political scene with the number of delegations he's receiving in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County.
A man who was impeached in October last year for, among other things, allegedly being tribal, regional and isolationist, seems to be keen on dropping that tag to project a more national image.
Among the delegations he has received are from Ukambani, Maasailand and Kisii, piquing the interest of President Ruto’s loyalists who have taken note of Wamunyoro's activities.
Even though some of the delegations are small and with politically inconspicuous individuals, Mr Gachagua and his social media team often make a point to amplify the visits as some suggest these could be emissaries sent by bigger players.
Addressing a delegation from Nyandarua County in Wamunyoro on Thursday, Mr Gachagua said: "We continue to attract the interest of many other regions that are dissatisfied with the way the country is being run and in time it will be appreciated that this community is a hub of nationalism.”
On Wednesday, January 22, 2024, it was the turn of a group from Kisii to enjoy the hospitality of Wamunyoro.
"Once again, the grassroots representatives of Kisii county called on me today at my residence in Wamunyoro. Kenya's hope and dream for the future as envisioned by our forefathers must be re-gathered and refocused in a truthful voice of the common mwananchi," the former deputy said in a statement.
Present were Michael Motume, Christopher Onsaga, Naftal Onkoba, Nyagaka Onchong'a, Brendah Kiteya, Ruth Nyagechang'a and Karen Magara.
On Monday, Mr Gachagua received a delegation from the Maa community.
"We are moving towards a better and equal Kenya as a people. I continue to listen and engage all stakeholders and opinion shapers on what is best for a nation, especially at a time like now when we are on the verge of an economic, social and political nosedive," he said in a statement after the meeting.
He added that the Maa delegation covered Kajiado and Narok counties.
"I took note of their concerns on issues that affect not only the Maa community but the entire nation and their desire that we walk the immediate political road together," he said.
Among leaders present were Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, Daniel Kanchori, Joshua Olowuasa, Martin Olekamwaro, Moses Birisha, James Lesere, Peter Tirishe, Abraham Osoi, Ole Esho, Benson Saayo, among others.
"Those who think they took us for fools by getting sovereign power from us in the 2022 General Elections and went ahead to betray our trust, humiliate us and destroy an entire innocent region have done us good," Mr Gachagua had said last Sunday during a service at PCEA Matanya Church in Laikipia County.
This comes as Mr Gachagua has promised to make a big announcement of a new political direction in the next few days.
Political scientist Peter Kagwanja argues that receiving delegations, an age-old practice in politics, as opposed to holding public rallies, serves to give the engagements a face of seriousness.
"Sitting somewhere with a controlled audience as opposed to sloganeering on a dais gives the engagement some honour, dignity and a more bonding environment," he said.
"Those invited feel honoured and the invitee can control and persuade better than facing a crowd. It is even cost convenient," Prof Kagwanja added.
This comes as President Ruto's allies in Mt Kenya region led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and former Mungiki chairman Maina Njenga continue to plot to reclaim the region for President Ruto's re-election.
Prof Kindiki had recently warned Mr Gachagua in Embu county not to "see my humble face as a weakness...let us respect each other because we will defeat whatever you are up to".
Mr Njenga has been the most active foot soldier against Mr Gachagua on behalf of President Ruto's allies, on January 13, 2025, he chided Mt Kenya to stop whining about President Ruto's rule saying, "It is your baby and you must suckle it".
Speaking on Hot 96 FM morning show, Mr Njenga countered that President Ruto "remains the favourite to win the 2027 presidential race".
He said Mt Kenya has no justification whatsoever to continue issuing ultimatums and heckling President Ruto because "you gave this country its government by your own volition".
The former Mungiki leader said that "by virtue of this endorsement, Mt Kenya has a 47 per cent stake in Dr Ruto's government.”
"Mt Kenya has no valid point to complain about President Ruto's government. Mount Kenya gave us this President. They told us that President Ruto is a product of prayers. Let us continue to pray with our president,” he added.
Mr Njenga's confidence aside, Murang'a's 33 MCA's led by Governor Irungu Kang'ata's right-hand-man Mr Noah Gachucha visited Mr Gachagua on Wednesday, January 22.
Mr Gachucha was Kang'ata's personal assistant and is currently the chief executive officer of the youth, sports, and culture portfolio.
The only Mt Kenya governors who have publicly declared their support for Mr Gachagua are Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) and Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua).
On Thursday, Mr Gachagua told the Nyandarua delegation that "we are approaching a crucial moment when we will be receiving partners from the rest of Kenya, including planned engagement with representatives from Luo Nyanza and Western region".
Also in the pipeline, he said, are delegations from North Eastern, Nairobi, Coast and even President Ruto's home region.
Mr Gachagua had met a delegation from the Akamba community in November last year to seal a political and cultural pact that endorsed the formation of a Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, Akamba Association.
