Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has dismissed his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua as a small-time politician as the battle for control of Mt Kenya regions’s voting bloc intensifies.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi while inspecting various road projects on Thursday, Prof Kindiki down played Mr Gachagua’s rising political influence as inconsequential to the election outcome.
“My brother Gachagua is a small-time politician who only appears popular because of an inflated ego. Let me assure you that we will whitewash the opposition group. They are only full of arrogance and insults but they cannot match our energy, skill and effort in politics,” Prof Kindiki said.
He said while Mr Gachagua ‘cunningly’ beat him in the contest to become Ruto's running mate ahead of the 2022 election, he gave him space to deliver.
Prof Kindiki recounted how he severally met the former DP in an attempt to dissuade him from fighting President William Ruto .
“When I was the Interior Minister, I never disrespected Mr Gachagua because I was busy handling national security matters. My advice to him fell on deaf ears and he tried to convince me to join him in bolting out of government. I told him to walk alone and warned him that I would have him arrested for undermining the government. That was the beginning of our differences,” the DP said.
He described the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader as “a politician who likes pursuing self-destruction.”
While the Opposition continues to gain traction after attracting significant support in recent by-elections in the region, President William Ruto’s allies have exuded confidence that they can turn the tide ahead of the 2027 elections.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses members of the public when he inspected ongoing road construction in Maara and Chuka Igambang'ombe constituencies in Tharaka Nithi County on September 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
Prof Kindiki is also fighting hard to maintain control of his Mt Kenya east backyard, where UDA won the Mbeere North by-election by a small margin.
But UDA’s fortunes in the Mt Kenya region appear to have dwindled after a humiliating defeat in the Ol Kalou by-election, even after immense mobilization by government officials and politicians.
Prof Kindiki has been solidifying his base by engaging elders, UDA leaders, women and youth groups across Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties.
At the same time, Prof Kindiki blamed Mr Gachagua’s failure to respect the president, for the political challenges that their administration has faced since 2024.
Mt Kenya region’s political future
“Because of his mess, we almost lost everything. This is what led us to the broad-based government that we have today. We now have half of the government, but it is better half than nothing,” he added.
Prof Kindiki appealed to Tharaka Nithi residents not to fall for the opposition arguing that their opponents have no track record from their previous positions in government.
The DP pleaded with his backyard not to abandon him in 2027, noting that a vote for President William Ruto secures the region’s political future.
He enumerated several development projects including roads, markets and rural electrification initiated by the current government – noting that they have outperformed previous administrations in many ways.
“Besides the many roads we are building in Tharaka Nithi, we are fixing Nithi bridge. I won’t allow enemies of development to politicise the construction of the Sh7 billion bridge. The contractor is on site but has to wait for the compensation of land owners. Three administrations could not do it. It is President William Ruto who is rebuilding the killer bridge,” the DP said.
Prof Kindiki said UDA will conduct its ward, constituency and county elections next month so as to strengthen its structures ahead of the general elections.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, MPs Patrick Munene (Chuka-Igamba Ng’ombe), Gitonga Murugaara (Tharaka) and Kareke Mbiuki (Maara).
Governor Njuki said they would defend Prof Kindiki’s backyard against opposition parties seeking to unseat President Ruto.
