Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri has launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of using threats and coercion to maintain dominance over Mt. Kenya’s political leadership.
In remarks made during a public gathering over the weekend, Kiunjuri claimed that Gachagua has repeatedly bullied leaders who express differing views or question his influence.
According to Kiunjuri, Gachagua’s political behavior has stifled open dialogue and discouraged alternative leadership voices within the region. “We have endured long enough.
Gachagua has built a culture of fear where leaders are forced to either agree with him or be cast out as traitors to the community,” Kiunjuri said. He further alleged that such tactics are undermining unity and preventing the region from presenting a coherent development agenda at the national level.
The fallout reflects broader political tensions simmering in Mt. Kenya, a region that has traditionally played a key role in shaping national elections. Since the 2022 general election and his exit from the deputy presidency, Gachagua has attempted to reassert himself as the de facto spokesperson for the region.
But critics like Kiunjuri argue that the era of unilateral decision-making is over, and the region needs a more inclusive and democratic political conversation.
Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, however, struck a different tone, urging leaders to rise above personal disputes and align with President William Ruto’s development blueprint.
“We must stop these side-shows and focus on what really matters to the people: roads, water, education, and food security. This back-and-forth only delays progress,” Rindikiri said during the same forum.
Rindikiri emphasized that Mt. Kenya should present a united front in working with the current administration rather than being consumed by internal rivalry. He called on elected leaders to respect the mandate given to President Ruto and support his efforts to transform the economy.
The public disagreement between Kiunjuri and Gachagua signals a power struggle that could reshape Mt. Kenya’s political future.
As the next general election looms in the distance, the question of who truly represents the region’s voice remains open — and increasingly contested.
By Kenyans