Gachagua declares unity with Uhuru as he consolidates Mt Kenya base

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared political unity with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, signalling a new alignment towards consolidating the Mt Kenya support base.

Speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIPCA Kiamworia in Gatundu North, Kiambu county—Uhuru’s political backyard—Gachagua said he and the Jubilee Party leader shared a common position on the need for regional unity.

The DCP leader told congregants that he was in contact with the former President, who had encouraged him to sustain regional unity.

He also conveyed greetings from Uhuru to the faithful, insisting that the retired President deserved respect, dignity and a peaceful retirement.

Gachagua also defended Uhuru against renewed political attacks, particularly from leaders affiliated with ODM.

“We are seeing some ODM leaders attacking Uhuru Kenyatta. The reality is, it is not those young ODM leaders, it is [President] William Ruto who is sending them. Our leader did his part and passed over leadership to you [Ruto]. I have said I don’t want anyone attacking Uhuru,” Gachagua said, amid cheers from the congregants.

While the DCP leader’s overtures towards Uhuru—publicly apologising for their bitter fallout in the 2022 campaigns—have been ongoing, the declaration signals a de-escalation of hostilities between Jubilee and DCP, which are fighting for regional influence in Mt Kenya.

Gachagua said Uhuru fulfilled his role as President, including backing ODM leader Raila Odinga to garner over one million votes in the 2022 presidential race despite resistance within Mt Kenya.

According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission records, Mt Kenya combined gave Raila 889,506 votes.

The former DP further accused Ruto of deliberately destabilising ODM by encouraging internal succession battles that could fracture the party’s traditional strongholds.

“The problem for ODM is not Uhuru but Ruto, who is working round the clock to make it a Luo Nyanza party. He has told [Mining CS Hassan] Joho to declare his bid to be party leader so that when rejected, he will form a Pwani party and kill ODM in the Coast region. And the same case for [Cooperatives CS Wycliffe] Oparanya,” Gachagua claimed.

He argued that Uhuru was being unfairly targeted for political manoeuvres he was not directing. Gachagua’s remarks come months after Uhuru directed Jubilee leaders and members to desist from attacking the former DP, even as they popularise the party.

Earlier, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa had said never again would the region fight one of their own. The senator said they were misled by Ruto to fight Uhuru, only later to realise “Ruto was the bad person”.

The DCP boss appears to be fashioning a united front in the restive Mt Kenya region, where Ruto is making attempts to change the tide.

The President is undertaking a three-day tour of the Gachagua backyard. During the visit, Ruto is expected to launch projects, particularly the Karatina Marikiti market and the affordable housing project.