Fresh headache for Ruto as Uhuru-Gachagua handshake looms

Signs are emerging of a possible rapprochement between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a development that would scuttle his moves to crack the mountain.

While the two leaders from Mt Kenya were bitter rivals in the run-up to the 2022 election, reports indicate that they have buried the hatchet and are working together to front a united mountain.

DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala on Wednesday confirmed the two leaders have mended fences.

“There is a handshake between Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru Kenyatta. They are already working together,” Malala said.

“It is just a matter of time before the official announcement is made.”

Suggesting the behind-the-scenes engagements have been ongoing for a while, Malala said the talks led to Uhuru warning then secretary general Jeremiah Kioni against attacking Gachagua.

“That is why you saw Jeremiah Kioni, who was always abusing Gachagua, being told to calm down, and he was later replaced. We want to work together, we don’t want any infighting,” he said.

The vocal Kioni was in recent party changes named deputy party leader and replaced by Moitalel ole Kenta.

With Mt Kenya having been a decisive vote in Ruto’s 2022 victory, the region remains an important constituency in his re-election bid.

But allegiance in the region has shifted sharply since Gachagua’s impeachment. A section of leaders and voters have expressed hostility toward the President, citing betrayal of regional interests.

In an attempt to calm tensions, Ruto in December 2024 made a visit to Ichaweri, Gatundu, to meet Uhuru at his rural home in what was widely interpreted as a reconciliation gesture.

Soon after, figures closely associated with Uhuru found their way into Ruto’s government.

Former Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), ex-Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui (Trade) and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo (ICT) were appointed to the Cabinet, while former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi was named chairman of the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The appointments were seen as part of Ruto’s broader political goodwill toward Uhuru’s political base and an effort to soften resistance.

However, the anticipated political thaw did not materialise. Uhuru sustained his criticism of Ruto’s administration, prompting sharp responses from Kenya Kwanza leaders.

As Ruto sought to repair relations with Uhuru, another, more unexpected realignment occurred. Uhuru’s pick for running mate to Raila Odinga in Azimio, Martha Karua, met with Gachagua later in January.

Since then, Gachagua initiated overtures toward Uhuru, publicly apologising to his former boss and defending him against attacks from Ruto and, recently, broad-based politicians.

In a recent Sunday service in Uhuru’s backyard of Gatundu, Gachagua said he and the Jubilee Party leader shared a common position on the need for regional unity.

At the same time, Gachagua has also softened his stance toward former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.

Previously critical of Matiang’i’s decision to use Jubilee Party, which Gachagua views as encroaching on his DCP influence in Mt Kenya, the two leaders have recently been seen in frequent meetings and consultations.

The developments point to an emerging alignment of key Mt Kenya figures.

For Ruto, this emerging axis presents a fresh political headache.

His earlier strategy appeared to hinge on isolating Gachagua while rebuilding bridges with Uhuru’s camp through appointments and symbolic outreach.

However, a potential Uhuru-Gachagua working arrangement collapses that strategy by bringing together the region’s two most recognisable political figures.

It also creates the possibility of a united Mt Kenya front that is neither aligned to Ruto nor fragmented across competing camps.

Such an alignment could significantly reshape the 2027 electoral map.

Malala says with the United Opposition coming together, Ruto finds himself cornered.

“He has done his arithmetic and it’s not adding up. He sees that if Mt Kenya votes as a bloc, especially with the Uhuru-Gachagua unity, and delivers five million, Ukambani comes in with three million, Western, Kisii and Maa region, he doesn’t stand a chance,” Malala said.

The emerging realignments also complicate Ruto’s broader national calculations.

With Mt Kenya increasingly uncertain, Ruto is now forced to lean more heavily on a working arrangement with ODM to compensate for potential losses in the vote-rich region.

However, with ODM divided, Malala said Nyanza will not save the situation.

Political commentator Fanya Kinuthia opines that Ruto’s biggest advantage in 2022 was a largely united Mt Kenya vote behind his ticket, but he now faces the prospect of the same region consolidating outside his influence.

Kinuthia noted that the rapprochement is part of the ‘wantam’ movement and that, like in 2002, the opposition is unlikely to be divided.