The political landscape in the Mt. Kenya region is intensifying as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria engage in a power struggle to claim the region’s leadership mantle.
This rivalry, reminiscent of the earlier contest between Gachagua and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has the potential to reshape the region’s political dynamics ahead of the 2027 general and subsequently succession politics of 2032.
The latest development in this ongoing tussle began when Deputy President Gachagua on Wednesday extended his condolences to Moses Kuria, who lost his position as Public Service Cabinet Secretary following President William Ruto’s dissolution of the Cabinet on July 11.
Gachagua urged Kuria to remain patient, reassuring him that God would open new doors for him.
“To my brother Moses Kuria, God will open a door for you,” Gachagua said.
However, this gesture sparked a flurry of reactions online, with Kuria’s supporters suggesting that Gachagua’s words were a subtle attempt to undermine the former CS.
Kuria wasted no time in responding. In a bold move, he took to social media to express his gratitude while subtly declaring his ambitions.
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“To my brother DP Rigathi Gachagua, thank you for your kind words. Indeed, God has His own designs. I am a believer. I strongly trust that He will make me the current Mt. Kenya kingpin and the 6th President of the Republic of Kenya. Asante Ndugu,” Kuria posted on his X page.
Political analysts see Kuria’s declaration as a direct challenge to Gachagua, who has been positioning himself as the heir to the Mt. Kenya leadership following Uhuru Kenyatta’s exit from the presidency.
Some leaders, including Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, have openly criticized Gachagua, accusing him of trying to stifle emerging leaders with ambitions for higher office.
Kiunjuri, in a recent interview with Inooro FM, urged Gachagua to cease undermining other leaders in the region.
“The Deputy President should stop fighting emerging leaders who have declared interests in higher positions. We won’t be intimidated, and I personally refuse to worship anyone,” he asserted.
This brewing battle between Gachagua and Kuria and top leaders from the region is drawing new lines in the Mt. Kenya political landscape, with both leaders vying for dominance in a region crucial to Kenya’s national politics.
Despite his critics, Gachagua has continued to assert his leadership in Mt. Kenya.
In a surprising turn of events, he few months ago extended an olive branch to his former rival, Uhuru Kenyatta, during a stopover in Kirinyaga County.
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Gachagua called for reconciliation and cooperation for the prosperity of the region, a move that caught many by surprise given his previous criticism of the former president.
“Uhuru Kenyatta is our child. Let him come so that we can join hands together. Is there anyone who has a problem with him? Aren’t elections over?” Gachagua asked, receiving applause from the crowd. He warned that failure to unite could bring challenges to the region, adding, “We should join hands as children of the mountain and love each other because if we don’t do so, we will go through a lot of problems.”
Political analyst Edwin Wambui views Gachagua’s outreach to Uhuru as a strategic move aimed at consolidating his support base.
“Gachagua understands that the Mt. Kenya vote is not monolithic. By reconciling with Uhuru, he could bring together the different factions within the region, thus solidifying his leadership,” Wambui said.
However, Wambui also cautioned against underestimating Kuria. “Moses Kuria is a seasoned politician with a strong following, particularly among the youth. His bold declaration to become the next Mt. Kenya kingpin and president might resonate with a significant portion of the electorate, especially those who feel that the current leadership has not delivered on its promises,” he added.
Naomi Njoki, a Mt. Kenya political activist, echoed these sentiments, noting that the Gachagua-Kuria rivalry reflects broader power struggles within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“What we are witnessing is not just a regional battle but also a national one. The outcome of this contest will have far-reaching implications for the 2027 and 2032 general elections. If Gachagua manages to hold onto his position as the Mt. Kenya leader, he will likely be a kingmaker in future elections. However, if Kuria succeeds, it could shift the power dynamics within the coalition and the country as a whole,” she remarked.
Njoki also highlighted the complexity of the Mt. Kenya leadership contest, pointing to the region’s history of political independence.
The Kikuyu Council of Elders, a significant cultural and political force, has previously called for unity among the region’s leaders.
During the Limuru 3 event in May 2024, the council’s national chairman, Wachira Kiago, endorsed a Gachagua-Uhuru handshake and urged the two leaders to work together for the common good.
Gachagua, while advocating for calm and cooperation, has made it clear that he is prepared for the political battles ahead.
“It is too early to start fighting over the 2027 and 2032 polls. Leadership comes from God. Let us work for the people, for if it is about positions, relax, and God will give them to you,” he stated.
