A concerted call for unity by Members of Parliament from Kirinyaga County has intensified the political schism in the Mt. Kenya region, posing a direct challenge to the authority of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. During a public gathering on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Mburi Primary School grounds, MPs Robert Gichimu (Gichugu), Gachoki Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), and George Kariuki (Ndia) urged residents to support the Kenya Kwanza administration, framing the appeal as a choice between development and divisive politics attributed to Mr. Gachagua.

The legislators' statements are the latest in a series of moves by a growing faction of Mt. Kenya leaders, including Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, aimed at countering Mr. Gachagua's efforts to position himself as the region's undisputed political kingpin following his impeachment in October 2024. Ndia MP George Kariuki explicitly stated that the region has not endorsed any single individual as its political spokesperson and cautioned residents against being swayed by "political winds."

A Fractured Political Landscape

The political landscape in Mt. Kenya, a region historically pivotal in national elections, has become increasingly fragmented since the 2022 general election. Mr. Gachagua, by virtue of his former position as Deputy President, was initially seen by many as the natural successor to former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the region's political leader. However, his tenure was marked by a divisive "shareholder" narrative and public fallouts with emerging leaders, which created fissures within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.

The current friction is widely viewed as early positioning for the 2027 and 2032 succession contests. Leaders such as Governor Waiguru and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro have emerged as alternative centers of power, often finding themselves at odds with Mr. Gachagua. In May 2024, Governor Waiguru publicly rebuked the idea of personalizing political offices, a statement interpreted as a direct critique of Gachagua's leadership style. More recently, in October 2025, Gachagua accused Waiguru and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire of being used by President William Ruto to divide the region, which led to protests in Kirinyaga defending the governor.

The Battle for Influence

The Kirinyaga MPs' recent push emphasizes a development-focused agenda, contrasting it with what they term premature campaigning. "No sober leader should be out there engaging in premature campaigns instead of protecting farmers," said Gichugu MP Robert Gichimu, highlighting efforts to stabilize coffee prices and combat theft. This focus on grassroots economic issues is a strategic move to win public support away from Gachagua's more politically charged rhetoric.

In response to the growing opposition, Mr. Gachagua has doubled down, branding leaders allied with President Ruto as "traitors" to the Mt. Kenya community. He has continued to hold rallies across the region, attempting to consolidate his base and maintain his relevance. His efforts have included high-profile meetings, such as a January 2025 visit to the home of Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, signaling a potential alliance of influential figures outside the Kenya Kwanza establishment.

Analysts suggest that Gachagua's impeachment has created a leadership vacuum and triggered a significant political realignment. While his removal from office bars him from holding a public post, his ability to mobilize voters could still make him a key influencer in any future coalition-building. Other leaders, like Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, have also been vocal, calling for unity but often criticizing Gachagua's approach as divisive.

Implications for Kenya Kwanza and 2027

The escalating infighting within President Ruto's primary vote bastion presents a significant challenge to the stability of the Kenya Kwanza coalition. A divided Mt. Kenya could weaken President Ruto's position ahead of his 2027 re-election bid and complicate succession plans for 2032. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secured approximately 87% of the Mt. Kenya vote in 2022, and any significant erosion of that support could prove politically costly.

The situation remains fluid, with various factions vying for supremacy. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has urged Mr. Gachagua to adopt a more national outlook beyond Mt. Kenya to be considered a true national leader. As leaders continue to draw battle lines, the political direction of this crucial region hangs in the balance, with the outcome set to have profound implications for Kenya's national politics. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED to ascertain the long-term strategies of the key political players involved.