NAIROBI, KENYA – Former Bahati Member of Parliament, Kimani Ngunjiri, has publicly contested the political influence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the Mt Kenya region, asserting that his support base is primarily built on tribal affiliations and sympathy following his impeachment. Speaking during an interview with a local television station on Monday, 10th November 2025, Ngunjiri claimed that Gachagua's newly formed party, Democracy for the Citizens (DCP), does not command the widespread support it purports to have.

“Gachagua is not influential,” Ngunjiri stated, arguing that the former Deputy President's popularity is not as significant as perceived. This statement adds a new layer to the complex and shifting political dynamics within the populous Mt Kenya voting bloc, a region critical to national political calculations. The comments from Ngunjiri, a former staunch ally of the Kenya Kwanza coalition who has since left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), underscore the growing fragmentation of political leadership in the area.

A Region in Political Flux

The Mt Kenya region has been a hotbed of political activity following the 2022 general elections and the subsequent fallout within the ruling coalition, which saw the impeachment of then-Deputy President Gachagua in October 2024. In the wake of his removal from office, Gachagua has embarked on a vigorous campaign to consolidate his support base, frequently calling for regional unity and positioning himself as the undisputed political kingpin.

On Saturday, 2nd November 2025, during a funeral in Gatanga Constituency, Gachagua publicly pleaded with voters to endorse him as the region's leader to coordinate its political strategy for the 2027 elections. He has been actively promoting his DCP party as the primary political vehicle for the region's interests.

However, Ngunjiri's recent remarks challenge this narrative. The former Bahati legislator has been openly critical of what he terms Gachagua's “Mlima politics,” or mountain-focused politics, arguing that it is divisive and detrimental to national unity. In an interview on Spice FM on 23rd April 2025, Ngunjiri stated his disapproval of Gachagua's approach, saying, “When he says this party is for 'Mlima,' I don't want to be part of that.” He urged the former DP to adopt a more national outlook to avoid being perceived as a polarising figure.

Wider Political Implications

Ngunjiri's critique is symptomatic of a broader realignment within the Mt Kenya political landscape. Having announced his departure from the UDA party in April 2024, citing a lack of appreciation, Ngunjiri has since launched his own political outfit, 'The Future Party', in May 2025. His move is seen by analysts as an attempt to carve out his own political space away from the dominant factions.

The political maneuvering is not limited to Ngunjiri. Other leaders have also weighed in on the battle for regional supremacy. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, on 5th November 2025, accused Gachagua of sowing division with “unfounded and divisive” remarks about the credibility of other regional leaders. Ruku asserted that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the established and respected leader of the region.

These developments highlight the significant rifts within the UDA party and the broader Kenya Kwanza coalition, particularly concerning its Mt Kenya support base. The region, which voted overwhelmingly for the coalition in 2022, is now witnessing a multi-faceted struggle for influence among various leaders, including Gachagua, allies of President William Ruto, and other independent figures like Ngunjiri. This fragmentation could have profound implications for the 2027 general election, potentially weakening the region's bargaining power if it fails to unite behind a single leader or political entity.

As the political climate continues to evolve, the focus remains on whether Gachagua can successfully consolidate the Mt Kenya bloc under his DCP party or if the dissenting voices of leaders like Kimani Ngunjiri will lead to a more fractured and unpredictable political future for the region. The outcome of this power struggle will be a critical determinant of Kenya's political trajectory in the coming years.