Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has accused allies of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua of running a campaign to tarnish his name, escalating a political rivalry over influence in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Nyoro claimed on Thursday, October 22, that DCP-linked leaders were using vernacular radio and television stations to portray him as a project of President William Ruto.
He challenged Gachagua to stop the alleged attacks, arguing that repeated criticism from leaders associated with DCP could be interpreted as the party’s official position.
“If the PPK chairman were to insult someone during an interview once, that could be taken as his own opinion, but if it happens repeatedly, then that becomes the opinion of the party, and by extension, of the party leader,” Nyoro said.
The Kiharu MP, who leads the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK), maintained that his engagement with opposition leaders was genuine. He urged Gachagua and other opposition figures to focus on challenging Ruto instead of attacking one another.
The accusations add to growing tension between the two political camps as they seek to consolidate support in Mount Kenya ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gachagua has been building DCP as a political vehicle for the region and the wider opposition. Nyoro, meanwhile, is promoting PPK as an alternative platform for leaders and aspirants seeking to challenge the government.
The emergence of PPK has added another dimension to the contest for political influence in Mount Kenya, where several parties are seeking to attract voters and candidates ahead of the next election.
Nyoro has faced questions from Gachagua’s allies over his political intentions, with some questioning whether he is genuinely opposed to Ruto. He has rejected claims that he is working with the President to divide the opposition.
The rivalry comes amid wider efforts by opposition leaders to coordinate their political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Nyoro has argued that attacking fellow opposition figures could weaken their efforts to challenge the government. The dispute, however, raises questions about whether Mount Kenya politicians will rally behind one political vehicle or pursue separate party platforms.
For Gachagua, DCP offers a structure through which he can organise supporters and build political influence. For Nyoro, PPK provides an alternative platform as he seeks a place in the wider opposition movement.
Gachagua had not issued a verified direct response to Nyoro’s latest accusations at the time of publication.
