From right: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Health CS Aden Duale, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is at the centre of growing political tensions within both the government and the opposition, as multiple political factions intensify efforts to challenge his influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
A wide range of figures, including President William Ruto, his deputy Prof Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, select Cabinet Secretaries and even close presidential allies, are among those fighting to politically contain Mr Gachagua.
In response, Mr Gachagua has teamed up with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-Kenya party boss Eugene Wamalwa, former Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in a bid to form a formidable alliance ahead of 2027.
DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua during an exclusive interview with NTV at his Karen home on June 27, 2025.
The pressure from both President Ruto’s allies and loyalists of former President Uhuru Kenyatta has reached a boiling point.
While on a US tour, Mr Gachagua described the political siege on him as "one man being hunted by 10 groups."
Coordinated attacks
“They forced me out of government in October last year, hoping I would disappear. But I have refused to go quietly, and now they are desperate to cripple me politically,” Mr Gachagua said in an interview on Pacific TV.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi dismissed Gachagua’s tour as “exported tribalism,” accusing him of addressing mostly Kikuyu-speaking audiences abroad.
Mr Gachagua, however, maintains that coordinated attacks against him are being orchestrated in the Mt Kenya region, which overwhelmingly supported President Ruto in 2022 with 87 per cent of the vote.
Political analysts interpret the strategy as an attempt to lure Mt Kenya back into President Ruto’s camp. In contrast, Mr Gachagua is working to consolidate the region and build a broader national alliance to stop Ruto from securing a second term.
Those most threatened by Gachagua’s political rise appear to be allies of the President who have begun crafting multiple strategies to undermine him. These include reviving Jubilee Party structures, promoting Ruto-aligned leaders as alternatives and using state machinery—allegedly including Interior Ministry operatives—to blunt Gachagua’s momentum.
Additionally, a media and online propaganda campaign has been launched against him, using bloggers, musicians, comedians and even sections of the clergy to discredit his message.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri confirmed a multi-pronged campaign is underway.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
“You’re not imagining things. We do have a plan to deal with Gachagua. It’s been tested over the last two months. Starting August, you’ll see it fully activated,” he said.
Tough conditions
Mr Kiunjuri emphasised that the objective is to ensure President Ruto wins a second term in 2027.
“We cannot risk losing a government we formed under tough conditions just to satisfy Mr Gachagua’s political greed and political ambition,” he said.
The Jubilee Party, now seemingly realigned against Dr Ruto, is playing a critical role. Former MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, once a close Gachagua ally, said the battle against him is part of a broader push to stop one-man dictatorship in the region.
Mr Wambugu criticised Gachagua’s claim that his new Democracy for Citizens Party would unilaterally determine Mt Kenya’s 2027 direction. Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni added that the party is backing Dr Matiang’i to challenge President Ruto—despite Matiang’i confirming he is still in talks with the broader opposition coalition led by Gachagua.
“We are united,” Dr Matiang’i said. “Ignore the noise. We haven’t even chosen a flag bearer, yet some are already spreading misinformation meant to divide us.”
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya said the real target of all these efforts is Gachagua.
“The President and his allies are flooding the political arena with money, propaganda and even using the security apparatus to suppress Gachagua,” he claimed.
Mr Gakuya questioned why a single politician should be the target of so many coordinated attacks.
Cabinet Secretaries William Kabogo (ICT) and Aden Duale (Health) have been vocal in defending Ruto and accusing Gachagua of tribal politics. Mr Duale accused Gachagua of weaponising ethnicity to divide the country and pledged a robust fightback.
On Tuesday, CS Kabogo claimed Gachagua attempted to rally Mt Kenya support by framing his impeachment as a community issue, which he said would be firmly resisted.
“I called him before his fallout with the President to ask what the real issue was. He gave no clear answer. We can’t abandon a functioning government just to chase a divisive agenda,” Mr Kabogo said. Nyandarua Senator John Methu alleged that opposition leaders loyal to Gachagua are being targeted through arrests and trumped-up charges.
“They started with Governor Natembeya, then MPs Jayne Kihara and Gitonga Mukunji. Many others have been summoned by DCI without just cause,” he said.
Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina noted that the online space has become toxic, flooded with bloggers and influencers attacking Gachagua daily.
“These attacks are financed by well-known operatives in Ruto’s camp. Unfortunately, some go too far—spreading hate speech and even involving families,” she said.
