With Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua facing impeachment, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka appears to be capitalizing on the political turmoil to gain a foothold in the crucial Mount Kenya region.
Kalonzo’s public show of support for the embattled deputy president has raised eyebrows, as he seeks to court voters disillusioned with President William Ruto’s government in the run-up to the 2027 presidential race.
Musyoka, the former vice president, has taken a surprising stand against Gachagua’s impeachment, labeling it an orchestrated move by President Ruto’s allies to distract the public from pressing national issues.
“The impeachment drama is nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from the government’s failures,” Kalonzo said, condemning the move in parliament.
His defense of Gachagua has sent shockwaves through political circles, especially given the history of rivalry between the two leaders.
Kalonzo’s support for Gachagua came to the fore when he visited the deputy president in the hospital during his impeachment proceedings.
Accompanied by a group of Mount Kenya politicians, Kalonzo’s visit was seen as a deliberate effort to align himself with Gachagua, who continues to command significant loyalty in the region.
“What has happened is gross injustice and political manipulation,” Kalonzo said, echoing sentiments that have resonated with Gachagua’s supporters.
A Calculated Political Shift?
Political analysts believe that Kalonzo’s strategy is part of a broader plan to position himself as the most viable alternative to Ruto in 2027, particularly in Mount Kenya, where public anger over Gachagua’s impeachment is palpable.
“Kalonzo is positioning himself as the voice of reason, standing by the region’s most influential figure at his lowest point,” says political analyst Paul Musingi. “He’s sending a strong message to the Mount Kenya electorate: ‘I stand with your son when others are trying to bring him down.’”
Musingi also highlights that Kalonzo’s moves could further complicate Ruto’s political calculus ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Kalonzo’s alliance with Gachagua could seriously disrupt Ruto’s strategy. The president has been working hard to maintain his grip on Mount Kenya, but Gachagua’s impeachment has fractured that support base.”
The potential for a new anti-Ruto alliance involving Kalonzo and Gachagua is already being whispered about in political circles.
The two were seen together at a burial in Nyeri in September, signaling what some believe is the beginning of a partnership designed to challenge Ruto’s dominance in the region.
“This partnership could be a game-changer,” Musingi adds. “If Kalonzo can secure the backing of Mount Kenya kingpins like Gachagua, he will have a strong foundation to build on.”
Kalonzo’s Growing Influence in Mount Kenya
Kalonzo’s efforts to woo Mount Kenya voters have not gone unnoticed. Key leaders from the region, including Jeremiah Kioni, Secretary-General of the former ruling Jubilee Party, and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, have already thrown their weight behind Kalonzo’s 2027 presidential ambitions.
Both have hinted at plans to form a new political alliance that bridges the divide between Mount Kenya and Kalonzo’s Kamba stronghold.
“We need a leader who is calm, who can unite this country, and Kalonzo Musyoka is that leader,” Kioni said in a recent statement, endorsing the Wiper leader.
Waititu added that the alliance is poised to create a powerful force capable of challenging Ruto’s political machine in the next election.
However, not everyone is convinced that Kalonzo’s strategy will work.
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, once a close ally of Kalonzo, warned that the Wiper leader’s focus on Mount Kenya could backfire.
“Kalonzo’s inner circle is misadvising him,” Kibwana said. “In 2027, national ideology will triumph over tribal politics. If he focuses too much on Mount Kenya, he risks being seen as a tribal leader, not a national unifier.”
The Uhuru Factor
Another crucial player in this unfolding political drama is former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who, despite keeping a low profile since leaving office, still wields considerable influence in Mount Kenya.
With Uhuru reportedly backing Kalonzo’s efforts to unite the region’s GEMA communities—Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Kamba—Kalonzo’s chances of securing a strong political base in the region may be bolstered.
Kalonzo, with Uhuru’s blessing, has embarked on a campaign to heal the political rift that has divided Mount Kenya since Ruto’s ascent to power.
The former vice president is positioning himself as a unifier, someone who can bridge the gap between a fractured Mount Kenya and his own Kamba community.
Political commentator Prof. John Mwangi argues that Kalonzo’s association with Uhuru could prove pivotal.
“If Kalonzo gets Uhuru’s endorsement, it will signal to voters that he is not just an outsider trying to infiltrate the region, but someone who can be trusted to lead and protect their interests.”
A Threat to Ruto’s 2027 Prospects?
The impeachment of Gachagua, combined with Kalonzo’s increasing visibility in Mount Kenya, poses a significant challenge to President Ruto’s re-election prospects.
While Ruto has been busy courting Nyanza and Western Kenya, the backlash from Gachagua’s ouster may prove costly. “Gachagua’s impeachment is not just a political blow to the deputy president, it’s a direct hit to Ruto’s support in Mount Kenya,” says Mwangi.
“If Kalonzo capitalizes on this and wins over the region, Ruto could find himself in a very difficult position come 2027.”
With the potential for new political formations and the backing of key regional leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka is making bold moves that could place him at the center of Kenya’s next political chapter.
Whether this strategy will succeed in unseating Ruto remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle for Mount Kenya is heating up.
