Political Fallout Looms as Gachagua, Jubilee Clash for Mt Kenya Supremacy

A fresh political storm is brewing in the Mt Kenya region as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces off with the resurgent Jubilee Party, now under the influence of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i. The mounting tension is raising fears of a major opposition fallout just a year ahead of the 2027 general election.

Gachagua, who recently unveiled his own political outfit — Democracy for the Citizens Party — is on a collision course with former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee brigade, which is keen on reclaiming its former glory. At the heart of the conflict is the battle for Mt Kenya’s political soul and the struggle for dominance within the opposition ranks.

The former DP has openly rejected Jubilee’s comeback, especially with Matiang’i at the helm. He insists the former CS should instead pursue the presidency through a Gusii-based homegrown political outfit. However, Jubilee leaders have dismissed Gachagua’s demand as a divisive tactic aimed at entrenching personal political interests.

“His politics of exclusion and single-party dominance have no place in a democratic setup,” Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni said, accusing Gachagua of attempting to monopolize opposition politics in the region.

Ngunjiri Wambugu, former Nyeri Town MP and one-time political adviser to Gachagua, echoed similar sentiments. “We must remind him that Mt Kenya’s political diversity cannot be suppressed. Jubilee is a credible and tested vehicle for the region’s political aspirations,” Wambugu stated. He criticized Gachagua’s push for a single-party model as “dictatorial.”

Meanwhile, Gachagua has been making strategic moves to cement his hold on the region. He has poached influential Jubilee figures such as former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, who now serves as deputy chairperson of his new party. Other notable defectors include ex-Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and former Kasarani MP Mercy Gakuya.

In a symbolic show of strength, Gachagua hosted several Kiambu and Nairobi leaders at his Wamunyoro residence in February, positioning his new party as the dominant force in Mt Kenya. However, the quiet meeting between his close ally, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, and Matiang’i on the same day he launched his party suggests that internal cracks may already be forming.

The looming Mbeere North by-election in Embu is expected to serve as the first real test for both camps. It will gauge their grassroots influence and signal which party commands more traction in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.

Political observers believe that the rivalry could splinter the opposition, weakening their chances nationally if not resolved early. With other parties like Martha Karua’s PLP and Justin Muturi’s DP also eyeing a piece of the Mt Kenya pie, the region is heading into a politically volatile season.

As the battle lines are drawn, one thing is clear — the fight for Mt Kenya is far from over, and the outcome could redefine Kenya’s political landscape ahead

In other news:Western Kenya Leaders Declare Full Support for Ruto’s 2027 Bid, Slam Gachagua’s Tribal Politics

Political Fallout Looms as Gachagua, Jubilee Clash for Mt Kenya Supremacy