Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
By MTK Team
There are just a few hours remaining before ushering year 2025.
2025 promises to be a defining year for the Mt. Kenya region, as most political alignments are expected to be witnessed.
The outgoing year 2024 has seen a shift in the political tectonic plates with the bold removal of Rigathi Gachagua as Kenya’s second in command and replacement him with another son of the region Prof. Abraham Kithure Kindiki
These two key changes have now paved the way for realignments that would either see President William Ruto reclaim his lost glory in the area, or forget support altogether.
The Mt. Kenya Times looks at key players to watch in the region as a new paradigm shift is ushered.
Ousted DP Gachagua remains the key man to watch as he has promised a serious political duel, marshalling the region’s numbers against president Ruto.
So far, he has managed to bring a number of political players to his side – mostly from the Mt. Kenya region who are also banking on the rage against President Ruto from the region to gain political mileage.
Gachagua has remained a lone voice after he was ejected from the lush Karen DP office, but has decided to play the victim card, prying on the sympathy of the region to advance his political agenda, and seemingly voice out frustrations of the region.
To date, President Ruto has found it difficult to gain entry into Mt. Kenya, with the only attempt, about a month and a half ago, during the consecration and installation of Embu Catholic Bishop Peter Kimani, ending in booing.
Gachagua and former president Uhuru Kenyatta were cheered.
The former DP has managed to work his way around the hearts of the Mt. Kenya people, be it those from the West or East.
For Gachagua, 2025 will be a make or break considering a new found relationship between President Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, who after the famous Ichaweri handshake has seen an inclusion of some of his allies in Ruto’s government.
Uhuru Kenyatta has introduced Mutahi Kagwe (Nyeri), William Kabogo (Kiambu), Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), whom together with president Ruto, hope they will be key proponents of the Ruto government to the extent of turning the tide.
The four are seasoned politicians who were instrumental in Uhuru’s government, but lost clout as the fourth president exited the political stage.
Their return may in a way shake the political landscape and possibly eat into Gachagua’s influence as they are seen as political masters whose ground mobilization skills are top notch.
However, Gachagua is already on an overdrive, discrediting their credentials and dismissing their influence as ‘siding with the oppreser.’
Gachagua is already pointing the Mt. Kenya region to a different political direction as he says the region is ‘shopping for a new alliance.’
The new Deputy President has remained quiet on political matters from the time he took over office, but remains the senior most political leader in the whole Mt. Kenya region.
Coming from Tharaka Nithi, one of the smallest counties in the country, professor Kindiki has climbed to the top most offices on the land and hopes to succeed his boss after a 10-year stint.
Kindiki has tried to keep off the region and he is hoping to escape the curse of his predecessor who was accused of prioritizing the Mt. Kenya region to the detriment of the nation.
Prof. Kindiki has not held a thanksgiving ceremony, has not gone home since his elevation and has actually kept off the region’s politics completely.
The only time he was in Mt. Kenya, is when he accompanied the president during the installation of Bishop Kamau, but didn’t speak much.
Pundits argue that he is playing his rightful role, that of being the president’s principal assistant, and not meddling in politics.
Last week, the DP was in some trouble when a section of leaders from Meru County accused him of removing the name of former agriculture cabinet secretary Peter Munya from the list of the new proposed cabinet secretaries.
“The President and Kindiki have short-changed the people of Meru. We gave this Government over 500,000 votes but they have not looked into our needs properly as we don’t have a CS,” said an MCA at a press conference in Meru.
Kindiki’s moves in the larger Mt. Kenya will be closely watched as the people look for a political direction. His influence, politically, will also be determined by how his messages will be resonating with the ground.
The new year will be a defining moment for him as he will be seeking to stamp his authority as the region’s top leader.
For former President Kenyatta, who has this far kept a low political profile, only to emerge with the handshake, it will be closely checked if his return will tilt the scale for president Ruto, or it will be a replica of 2022 when his quest to sell Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga failed miserably.
Already, there are murmurs in the region about his proposing persons to serve in Ruto’s government.
His nominees are slated for approval hearings before the National Assembly from January 14.
Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza remains a person of interest in the Mt. Kenya East region, considering the many political fights, including impeachment proceedings that are now the subject of a court case.
Her matter is to be decided early in the coming year and if the ruling goes in her favour, she’ll back into the political space with full force.
She has joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance and hopes to build a stronger political bond with president Ruto owing to her strong ground mobilization skills.
Former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi has been blowing hot and cold since his ouster from cabinet on his relationship with President Ruto.
He has blamed the president for his ouster but has also been seen to dine with him.
At times, he has called for his censure but has not stood steadfast on his resolve.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is playing his political cards very close to his chest, especially after the removal of Gachagua, only being seen playing his part as budget and appropriations chairman in the National Assembly.
Nyoro did not vote to impeach Gachagua, neither did he speak on his removal
Nyoro has shown willingness of being a key leader in Mt. Kenya, with those close to him saying it would have been political suicide were he to betray ‘Riggy G’ politically.
He has won over the hearts of many from Mt. Kenya who see him as a future leader. His words in 2025 will be critical in shaping the political future of the region
The actions or inactions of most the leaders of the Mt. Kenya region – be it the West or East, will greatly shape the political landscape in the vote rich region that has got most of those in the political space working day and night to get support.
These leaders have or had influence in the Mt. Kenya region. Their steps will be watched closely. Their ability to engage the people and turn them for or against President William Ruto, will earn them points.”
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