Ruto MPs firm as Rigathi revolt in Mt Kenya falters

A large majority of MPs from the Mt Kenya region have remained firmly aligned with President William Ruto, despite a sustained political offensive from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Slightly over a year since Gachagua’s dramatic removal from office, the former DP has repeatedly warned MPs from his backyard to abandon Ruto or face electoral defeat in 2027.

However, analysts say the lawmakers’ resolve reflects growing confidence that they can successfully challenge Gachagua’s influence— particularly after the opposition’s recent loss in the Mbeere North by-election.

 “Mbeere North complicates matters,” political analyst Martin Andati observed. “The loss creates complications for him and gives the leaders on the government side hope that they have a fighting chance.”

Three MPs who had initially backed Gachagua and vigorously opposed his ouster have since shifted back to Ruto’s camp.

Notably, majority of Mt Kenya MPs still support Ruto, with 60 for him and 30 on Gachagua’s side.

With access to parliamentary resources and the backing of the State, the MPs are increasingly seen as capable of mounting a credible challenge to Gachagua’s dominance.

The developments come amid reports of deep divisions within the opposition, which could further ease Ruto’s path in 2027.

According to sources, Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa are aligned in one bloc, while former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and former ministers Martha Karua and Mukhisa Kituyi are coalescing in another.

Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka told the Nation that UDA lawmakers remain focused on development rather than political theatrics.

“Kiambu Town has undergone significant transformation because of our deliberate focus on development. People want work, not talk,” he said.

“For now, I am concentrating on my mandate. In 2027, the people will judge me based on my work and how I delivered on my promises.”

According to Waithaka, MPs in the Ruto camp believe the next election is still far off and are unmoved by Gachagua’s threats.

“Who knows where we will be in 2027? Those of us privileged to serve must work.”

Gachagua’s ally, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, claimed on Thursday that Ruto-aligned MPs “already know they have no guarantee of retaining their seats”.

“How many of them do you see on the ground unless they are accompanying Kindiki or Ruto? They know how much support they have lost for ‘betraying’ the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, a recent strategy meeting at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s residence ended with a renewed resolve among the Ruto-aligned MPs.

Leaders from both Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West mapped out a delivery plan for multi billion-shilling projects underway in the region, pledging to remain focused on development.

They vowed not to be drawn into what they described as Gachagua’s attempts to “lure them into insults and other unproductive engagements”.

Out of 282 who voted in support of the motion to impeach Gachagua, 44 were against his ouster, including 20 lawmakers from Mt Kenya region.

Among his supporters were MPs Gathiru, James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini) and nominated MP Teresia Wanjiru.

Others were Mary Wamaua (Maragua), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Eric Karemba (Runyenjes), Pamela Njoki (Bahati), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Martha Wangari (Gilgil), George Koimburi (Juja), Chege Njuguna (Kandara), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Samuel Kinuthia (Subukia), and Tetu’s Geoffrey Wandeto.

But over time, the DCP leader has continued to lose support from some of the very lawmakers who stood with him during the ouster.

Even the delegations that trooped to his home for photo ops at the famed “I love Wamunyoro” signage have reduced drastically.

Wamuchomba, Karemba and Wamaua are among the lawmakers who have broken ranks with the former DP, even as Wangari of Gilgil and others remain non-committal.

The Gilgil lawmaker was among those who were at the frontline to receive Ruto during the launch of the Rironi-Mau Summit highway.

This, as renowned political commentator Wahome Thuku put it, follows a near acceptance that there is no plausible way that the United Opposition, where Gachagua is a key player, would unseat Ruto.

Othaya MP Wambugu Wainaina recently spoke to this notion, saying, “I may not win back my seat, but Ruto will be re-elected. He has enough votes.”

Ruto’s support in the region is a large group of legislators who have publicly endorsed his administration’s development agenda.

Their loyalty is channelled through Kindiki, who has become Ruto’s chief political operator and bulwark against Gachagua’s influence.

They include Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly majority leader and Eric Wamumbi, the MP for Mathira—Gachagua’s backyard.

Other prominent MPs reinforcing Ruto’s flank include Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Jane Kagiri (Laikipia), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East)—who is leading efforts to mobilise pro-Ruto parties—and Betty Maina (Murang’a), who has urged voters to stay loyal to the President.

The MPs have spearheaded a series of ‘Bottom-Up Empowerment Day’ events across constituencies.

Their strategy is two-fold: to fast-track tangible projects and to politically “checkmate Gachagua” by demonstrating that the government’s machinery remains intact and supportive of the region.

In contrast, Gachagua’s camp is defined more by its vocal, aggressive campaigning than by a long list of sitting MPs.

He has teamed up with the United Opposition, bringing his DCP alongside Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party, Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K and Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party.

His strategy hinges not on dominating the parliamentary seating chart but on controlling the narrative on the ground.

While at it, he traverses the region, delivering fiery speeches in which he dismisses pro-Ruto MPs as ‘home guards’ and ‘wheelbarrows’. Gathiru aka Mejjadonk said, “They don’t have any fighting chance. An elephant cannot be buried with its tusks. They hold controlled meetings with carefully selected attendees. Those who attend go for the money because after they leave, they still shout ‘one term’.”

“Even when they go tomorrow, they will get people, as long as they are giving them money. Why are they not conducting meetings in open fields or markets?

“Politics is perception. They are trying to create the feeling that there is something left for Ruto in Mt Kenya. The reality is that their opponents are more popular. If you want to check, why is there no scramble for the UDA,” he added.

The political rift has plunged Mount Kenya into its most significant internal dilemma in decades, with political observers saying it is back to the 90s.

The Ruto-Kindiki camp counters with a narrative of pragmatism and development, arguing that alignment with the national government is the surest path to resources, security and completed projects.

Analysts note that while Gachagua’s momentum is causing anxiety in Ruto’s camp, the slow pace and lack of a clear, unified policy alternative by the opposition could work in their favour.

Meanwhile, Ruto’s allies are working to fragment the mountain’s vote as a last-resort strategy to prevent a unified bloc from backing his opponent.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

What is clear is that the allegiance of Mt Kenya’s MPs is no longer automatic. Each legislator is caught between the formidable wave of Gachagua’s rebellion and the weight of the Ruto incumbency. Their collective choice will not only determine their individual political futures but also the destiny of the presidency in 2027.