Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing strong criticism from opposition leaders who say he is acting selfishly with Mt Kenya politics. The leaders claim Gachagua does not want to work with them in Mt Kenya, yet he wants them to host him in their regions like Ukambani, Western, Maasai land and the Coast.
“He comes to our areas asking for support, but blocks us from joining him in Mt Kenya. That’s unfair,” one leader said.
Gachagua has told people he is trying to unite the Mt Kenya region, but other leaders believe he is only doing it so he can become the only one with power in the region. They say he wants to use Mt Kenya’s support as a bargaining tool during the 2027 elections.
“He is not trying to unite us,” another leader said. “He just wants to look powerful and use that to get a better deal later.”
The leaders say Gachagua is trying to copy what other regional leaders like Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka have done—becoming the main voice in their regions. But unlike them, Gachagua doesn’t allow other leaders into his backyard.
They argue that true leadership is about working together, not locking others out. Gachagua, they say, wants to look strong by standing alone, but in doing so, he is blocking teamwork and unity.
With 2027 fast approaching, these leaders are warning that Gachagua’s style of politics may create more division than unity. They are calling on him to stop being a gatekeeper and start being a team player.
