The Kenya Kwanza administration has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to counter growing opposition around former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Mount Kenya and beyond.
The move comes as Deputy President Kithure Kindiki seeks to consolidate his base 11 months after replacing Mr Gachagua, who was impeached last year — setting up a contest of influence between the two senior politicians in the country’s most vote-rich region.
Compounding Kenya Kwanza’s headache is former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s push to revamp the Jubilee Party, a shift in tactics that could re-energise the Opposition ahead of the 2027 elections, especially with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) currently registering new voters.
Beyond politicians, an emerging group of technocrats is seeking to blunt Mr Gachagua’s influence in areas where he retains clout. Their efforts are designed not only to politically weaken his base but also to secure their own post-2027 relevance in government.
A caucus of Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, board chairs, directors and CEOs from the Mount Kenya region and its diaspora was formed two months ago.
Led by Health PS Mary Muthoni, the group has been traversing the region under the Jamii Imara Mashinani programme — a rollout of development forums framed as citizen engagement but widely seen as political counter-mobilisation.
The caucus also draws in religious leaders, youth and women’s groups and the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), cascading its influence down to the village level.
Cabinet members in the bloc include William Kabogo (ICT), Alice Wahome (Lands), Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture, Mary Miano (Tourism), Erick Muriithi (Water) and Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service).
Cabinet Secretary Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Senior civil servants such as Amos Gathecha (Deputy Head of Public Service), PSs Esther Mworia (TVET), Alex Wachira (Energy), Dr Caroline Karugu (EAC) and Elijah Mwangi (Sports) are also involved.
Ms Muthoni downplayed the political undertones, insisting the forums — held so far in Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Embu — are meant to gather citizen feedback. But the programme’s slogan, Tukutane, Tujadiliane na Tushirikiane, carries a loaded political message.
“The purpose is to afford citizens an opportunity to interface directly with government on governance, development and service delivery,” she said.
Former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua gestures during an interview with NTV at his Karen home in Nairobi on June 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
At recent forums in Kirinyaga and Embu, residents raised grievances ranging from stalled projects, water shortages and poor agricultural support to frustrations with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“We are registering, paying, yet referrals are still attracting charges. Dependents are not captured in the system,” lamented Ms Betty Wangechi, a resident.
“The President pledged a minimum of Sh50 per litre of milk, but prices remain low despite high production costs. The government must match words with action,” said Mr Peter Mungai, a Murang’a youth leader.
Despite his impeachment, Mr Gachagua has become the face of opposition to President Ruto’s administration.
Last Sunday in Kajiado, Mr Gachagua again announced his presidential bid through the newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
“Our focus is to rally the youth to register as voters, vote out Dr Ruto, and install a people’s president,” he declared, accusing the regime of “unfulfilled promises, lies, a battered economy and insensitive leadership.”
Nyandarua County Senator John Muhia Methu during the press conference at Parliament buildings Nairobi on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
His hardline stance has been amplified by allies such as Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa, who have vowed to lock Kenya Kwanza out of parts of the region in 2027.
Deputy President Kindiki has been holding rallies, presiding over fundraisers and hosting delegations at his Karen office in a bid to entrench his influence.
“Do not be deceived. Those who were in government recently are not as strong as they claim. We will show them political dust in 2027,” Prof Kindiki said.
Former President and Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta gives a speech during the party's Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on September 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, former President Kenyatta has opened a fresh battlefront by reclaiming control of Jubilee. At a special delegates conference in Nairobi on September 26, he pledged to rebuild the party from the grassroots.
“I have watched the recent past quietly. I admire the Gen Zs who know what they want. We want the youth to lead us into the future,” Mr Kenyatta told delegates, in a clear appeal to a new voting bloc.
With voter registration underway, the three Mount Kenya titans — Gachagua, Kindiki and Kenyatta — now appear locked in a high-stakes battle to shape the region’s political destiny and tilt the scales of 2027.
