Headache for Gachagua as Uhuru roars back in Mt Kenya

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua joins mourners during the burial of Terry Wanjiru, widow of JM Kariuki (deceased), in Gilgil, Nakuru County./HANDOUT

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faces a fresh hurdle in his bid to rally Mt Kenya behind DCP, as former President Uhuru Kenyatta stages a dramatic comeback through the revival of the Jubilee.

For nearly two years after leaving office, Uhuru had kept out of active politics, choosing instead to focus on his private ventures and regional diplomacy.

But recent months have seen the former head of state make a steady and deliberate return to the political scene, with his old party as the vehicle.

On Friday, Uhuru led the first of several planned Jubilee grassroots meetings, promising to roll out a nationwide reorganisation drive ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party has also embarked on a new membership recruitment blitz that insiders say has attracted hundreds of new members in just a few days.

Presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i, speaking on Sunday, confirmed that Jubilee would target its former members and court candidates seeking elective positions in 2027.

The reawakening of Jubilee—which has deep roots in Mt Kenya—threatens to erode Gachagua’s growing influence in the region.

The former Deputy President has been pushing to make DCP the region’s single political vehicle, but Uhuru’s resurgence could upend that strategy and scatter his support base.

Uhuru’s rejuvenation of Jubilee is already attracting a wave of aspirants eager to run on its ticket.

Analysts say the move is a potential game changer that could complicate Gachagua’s bid to consolidate near-total control of elected leaders in the mountain through his party.

The developments also risk weakening Gachagua’s bargaining power within the emerging opposition coalition, should Jubilee, DCP and other anti-Ruto forces agree to unite ahead of 2027.

Just over a week ago, the Star reported exclusively that Gachagua had shelved his presidential ambitions for 2027, opting instead to demand a 50 per cent share of government in negotiations with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Uhuru’s renewed presence in regional politics could significantly dilute the former Deputy President’s leverage in those negotiations.

Political observers note that the “Uhuru factor” could influence which leaders the Mt Kenya region backs for top national positions if the opposition forms the next government.

Having unsuccessfully tried to persuade the region not to vote for President William Ruto in 2022, Uhuru now re-enters the arena with renewed credibility—as many in the mountain privately admit they may have “made a mistake” at the ballot box.

Sensing the threat, Gachagua this week urged Mt Kenya residents to unite under one political banner ahead of 2027.

“The mistake we did in 2022 was to go to a wedding in someone else’s vehicle. We got to the river and were thrown out. Let’s not repeat that mistake,” Gachagua said during the burial of Terry Wanjiru, widow of JM Kariuki (deceased), in Gilgil, Nakuru county.

“I have formed one party that should be our strength and shield. That should be the only vehicle. The others are wheelbarrows,” he added, in an apparent swipe at UDA.

The former DP warned that dividing the Mt Kenya vote across multiple parties would repeat the 1992 mistake when President Daniel Moi’s regime exploited opposition disunity.

“I am begging you to give me more soldiers—governors, senators, MPs and MCAs—so that we can deal with President Ruto,” he said.

Gachagua has publicly stated his goal of securing at least 152 legislators—130 MPs and 22 senators—mostly from Mt Kenya, in the next election.

He has also warned Matiang’i against contesting under Jubilee, suggesting instead that he form his own political vehicle.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, a close Gachagua ally, accused Uhuru of trying to divide the Mt Kenya vote and derail the push for a united opposition.

“Jubilee is an appendage of UDA,” Muriu said.

“For example, Jubilee’s Joshua Kitaro dropped his Narok Town ward bid to endorse UDA’s Junior [Robert Kudate]. Uhuru is coming to the mountain to divide it under instructions from Ruto.”

He added, “In 2013, Uhuru brought Ruto and said ‘yangu kumi, Ruto kumi.’ In 2022, he brought Baba [Raila Odinga]. Now he is bringing Matiang’i. The message this sends is that he has no faith in the people of Mt Kenya.”

When asked how Uhuru could be accused of working for Ruto despite their well-documented fallout, Muriu said the former president’s actions “haven’t shown goodwill” towards Gachagua.

“If Uhuru really wanted to support Gachagua, he should have had a handshake with him. But I can tell you he hasn’t even called him,” Muriu said.

Analysts say Gachagua faces an uphill task countering a seasoned political player like Uhuru, who served as president for a decade and still commands vast financial resources and deep political networks.

Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said DCP’s growth has already faltered.

“While Gachagua claimed that UDA members and MPs would join his party, that has not happened,” Wambugu said.

“Jubilee has a track record and national reach that DCP lacks.”

He argued that Uhuru’s agenda was national, not regional.

“Uhuru is pushing for national politics, not tribal balkanisation. The idea of one regional party creates dictatorship in a region traditionally led by councils' of elders. Mt Kenya is democratic,” he said.

“That one-party call also exposes selfishness. Why isn’t Gachagua saying, ‘Let’s all join Jubilee, DP or PLP?’”

Wambugu maintained that Jubilee remains part of the United Opposition and that intra-coalition competition is normal “as long as each party consolidates without undermining the other”.

Whoever commands Mt Kenya’s loyalty will wield immense influence in shaping national politics and opposition negotiations.

Gachagua insists that future power-sharing will depend on the number of votes each principal delivers.

Jubilee deputy party leader (Outreach) Joseph Manje downplayed the rivalry, saying the ongoing revamp transcends both region and election cycles.

“After spending almost three years in court, Uhuru now wants to revive the party completely and hand it over to Kenyans so it can outlive him,” Manje said.

“Jubilee is not a Mt Kenya party. We have more MPs from outside Central Kenya than within. According to the Registrar of Political Parties, we remain the biggest party with 7.1 million registered members.”

Political analyst Prof Peter Kagwanja said Gachagua’s challenge lies in managing the region’s growing political diversity.

“Uhuru’s re-entry will affect Gachagua, but remember, there are other Mt Kenya parties in the United Opposition, like Martha Karua’s Narc-Kenya and Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party,” Kagwanja said.

“He will need to move forward as a democrat and allow even Matiang’i to campaign freely. Every party has the right to front a candidate.”

In a recent by-election in Mbeere North, DCP was forced to withdraw its candidate in favour of Muturi’s DP to avoid splitting the vote and handing victory to UDA.

Political commentators say the by-election would have provided a useful test of DCP’s grassroots strength—a test Gachagua chose to avoid.

Tensions between Jubilee and DCP have been rising, prompting Uhuru last month to call for a truce and urge Jubilee politicians to stop attacking Gachagua. Despite that, Ngunjiri Wambugu has continued to criticise the former Deputy President, accusing him of perpetuating “toxic politics.”

For Gachagua, the stakes could not be higher. Without a solid Mt Kenya base, his national political relevance would diminish sharply.

Uhuru, on the other hand, appears determined to redefine his legacy—championing generational change, political moderation and institutional stability.

No longer constrained by the presidency, he is using his influence to shape the region’s next generation of leaders and possibly complicate President Ruto’s 2027 prospects.