Former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru has made bold assertions regarding the political realignments within the GEMA community, declaring that the region has fully consolidated its support behind Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

She stated that the people of the Mt Kenya region, in their entirety, have resolved to rally behind Gachagua in what she described as an unwavering mission to send President William Ruto home at the earliest opportunity.

Speaking during an interview with Kameme FM on Monday, March 10, 2025, Waruguru dismissed claims that Ruto still enjoys substantial backing in the region, insisting that the political tide has shifted significantly.

According to her, influential leaders from the GEMA communities, including PLP party leader Martha Karua, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have successfully consolidated the region’s support.

“We have Mheshimiwa Martha Wangari wa Karua, a formidable leader in her own right, alongside Peter Munya, a key political strategist within the region. Together with Kalonzo Musyoka, we have successfully solidified the GEMA community into a united force,” Waruguru declared.

She further noted that a certain political leader, whom she cryptically referred to as Muikambane, had voluntarily excused himself from the group, a decision that was mutually accepted by those within the GEMA leadership.

“Because someone called Muikambane excused himself from the community, we mutually agreed that he should leave. And because of that, the GEMA community—the Agikuyu, Kamba, Ameru, and Aembu—stands united. You see, Embu, for example, has become a stronghold of opposition against William Ruto, and the same goes for Meru. They, too, are fully behind Rigathi Gachagua.”

Ruto’s rifts

Expanding on her analysis of political divisions within Mt Kenya, Waruguru noted that Ruto’s camp had deliberately sought to create rifts within the region by strategically offering the deputy presidency to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

She argued that the appointment was not a genuine effort to empower the GEMA community but rather a calculated ploy designed to sow discord between Mt. Kenya West and Mt. Kenya East.

“In Tharaka Nithi, which happens to be the home county of Professor Kindiki, the people are facing immense pressure and intimidation. However, despite this, a significant battalion within the region has openly declared that they are not deceived by Ruto’s tactics. Even when the position of Deputy President was handed to Kindiki’s camp, it was not an act of goodwill aimed at empowering the GEMA community. Rather, it was a strategic move designed to fracture the unity of the Mt. Kenya voting bloc by pitting Mt. Kenya West against Mt. Kenya East,” she remarked, placing the blame squarely on what she termed as the machinations of Ruto’s “deep state.”

Mwangaza criticism

During the interview, Waruguru was particularly vocal in her criticism of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, whom she accused of echoing the propaganda of Ruto’s allies while misrepresenting the true political sentiments of the people on the ground.

She dismissed Mwangaza’s claims regarding Ruto’s influence in Meru County, asserting that the region remains firmly in support of Gachagua’s leadership and does not share the governor’s purported enthusiasm for the president.

“The noise you are currently hearing from Governor Kawira Mwangaza is nothing more than an orchestrated distraction, carefully choreographed by those who have sworn loyalty to William Ruto. If one takes the time to engage with the people of Meru at the grassroots level, it quickly becomes apparent that the situation on the ground is entirely different from the picture she is attempting to paint. The reality is that William Ruto is not wanted in Meru, and Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as the undisputed popular candidate within the region,” she stated emphatically.

Waruguru went on to argue that Mwangaza’s political challenges stem from the fact that she ascended to the gubernatorial position as an independent candidate, a move that, in her view, has continually put her at odds with other regional leaders.

However, she was quick to add that, as a fellow woman in politics, she did not intend to engage in direct personal attacks against Mwangaza but maintained that Meru County remains solidly aligned with Gachagua and his allies in their efforts to challenge Ruto’s leadership.

“And while we do not wish to interfere in Meru affairs, I personally do not want to throw shade at a fellow female politician because I, too, am a woman. But let me be clear—Meru is fully with us as we make plans to send Ruto home, ensuring he remains a one-term president.”