NAIROBI, KENYA – Kiambaa Member of Parliament, John Njuguna Kawanjiku, on Monday, November 3, 2025, publicly accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating a political witch-hunt against him and other elected leaders in the Mount Kenya region. The remarks, made at a press conference in Parliament Buildings, have intensified the spotlight on the growing divisions among political leaders in the region, a critical voting bloc in Kenyan politics.

Mr. Kawanjiku asserted that Mr. Gachagua, who now leads the newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), is using intimidation and coercion to force regional leaders to support his political ambitions. "You cannot force us to follow you," Mr. Kawanjiku stated, directing his comments at Gachagua. "We are elected leaders... you cannot continue intimidating me and forcing me that if I don't follow you..." This public fallout follows a period of simmering tensions, with Kawanjiku alleging that the friction began as early as 2023.

The conflict appears rooted in Gachagua's aggressive campaign to consolidate the Mount Kenya region under his DCP party, which he unveiled in May 2025 after his impeachment in October 2024. Gachagua has been vocal about his intention to become the undisputed political kingpin of the region, urging residents to unite behind him and his party to negotiate for national power effectively come 2027. However, his methods have drawn criticism. On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Gachagua reportedly lamented the quality of current leaders in the region, pleading with voters to elect more lawyers to strengthen his political hand, a move that was perceived as an insult by incumbent leaders like Kawanjiku.

Deepening Political Rifts

The confrontation between Kawanjiku and Gachagua is emblematic of a broader, complex power struggle in Mount Kenya. The region, which has historically voted as a bloc, is now witnessing the emergence of multiple centers of power, threatening its cohesive political influence. Mr. Gachagua's efforts to establish DCP as the dominant party are facing resistance not only from independent-minded MPs but also from loyalists of President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the revived Jubilee Party of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr. Kawanjiku's history with Gachagua is particularly notable. During the 2021 Kiambaa by-election, Gachagua, then a key figure in UDA, was instrumental in campaigning for Kawanjiku, helping to secure a crucial victory for the nascent party. The current animosity marks a significant political realignment. Earlier in 2024, Kawanjiku had claimed that Gachagua chased him out of his office for visiting Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a perceived rival to Gachagua for influence in the region. "Don't talk about unity during the day, and plan for how to divide us at night. It is very unfair," Kawanjiku stated in a June 2024 interview, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in Gachagua's unity calls.

Implications for 2027 and Regional Stability

Political analysts observe that these public disputes could lead to significant political realignments and potential instability within the Mount Kenya political landscape. The splintering of leadership could weaken the region's bargaining power in national coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections. Gachagua's strategy aims to create a single, powerful vehicle to champion the region's interests, but his abrasive style risks alienating key local leaders, potentially leading to a rebellion that could divide the vote.

Mr. Gachagua, for his part, has remained defiant, accusing leaders aligned with President Ruto of betraying the community and remaining silent as the region is allegedly sidelined by the current administration. He has publicly dismissed any possibility of reconciling with President Ruto, framing his 2027 ambitions as a direct challenge to the incumbent. As these political battles unfold, the focus remains on whether the leaders of Mount Kenya can find common ground or if the region is headed for a fractured political future, fundamentally altering Kenya's electoral calculus. Further investigation is required to ascertain the responses from Mr. Gachagua's office regarding these specific allegations by MP Kawanjiku.