Speculation of a Mt Kenya realignment as Uhuru camp warms to Gachagua

A recent meeting between DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua and Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Jeremiah Kioni has sparked speculation that Gachagua could already be working with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for a possible political realignment against President William Ruto.

Just months after Kenyatta publicly rebuked Kioni, urging him to stop attacking the former DP, Kioni appears to have heeded that call.

Last Friday, Kioni visited Gachagua at his Nairobi residence, accompanied by former Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia. The two presented sheep to Gachagua, an act widely interpreted as a symbol of deep respect in Mt Kenya communities.

Following days of speculation over the significance of the meeting, Kioni broke his silence on Tuesday. He went on to heap praise on Gachagua, even drawing comparisons between him and Odinga:

“We were in this struggle of demonstrations with Raila. I even wore a cooking pot on my head, and people said I was mad. We fought a lot, but what Gachagua has achieved in the last year or so, Raila was not able to achieve in all the years he led us in demonstrations. This time, Kenya is united in saying one term,” Kioni said.

But was the meeting a signal of Kenyatta aligning with Gachagua to take on President Ruto’s camp in the next race to State House?

Political analyst Peter Kagwanja suggests the signs point to an emerging alliance:

“Uhuru and Gachagua are already working together. The moment you saw Gachagua and the leadership of the Jubilee Party being endorsed to work together by the former president himself, it tells you there is an agreement,” he said.

Kioni also appeared to reference Gachagua’s impeachment, framing it as a betrayal within the mountain region.

“All that they did in Parliament was to betray Gachagua. They voted for his impeachment, nothing else matters. If you betray in this community, you are done,” Kioni said.

About the Author

News Desk

Administrator

View All Posts