Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that it is the fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta, who has addressed the long rift that had existed between Mt Kenya and Luo Nyanza.

Speaking during the funeral of the late former Kirinyaga Senator David Karaba on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader stated that Uhuru’s support for the late Raila Odinga, who scooped up close to 1.3 million votes from the region, shows that indeed the animosity between the two communities has now come to an end.

Gachagua applauded Uhuru, saying that he did a great job in bridging the differences that were there between the two communities.

He told Siaya Governor James Orengo, who was in that particular forum, that since Uhuru is in his retirement, it is upon them to continue from where he left off and narrow the gaps further.

“We have had differences with the Luo community for many years. President Uhuru has addressed it in a very big way. For the first time, over 1.3 million people, under the behest of Uhuru Kenyatta, voted for Raila Odinga,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua also spoke on Mt Kenya unity, saying that the moment they get divided, they lose as a community in 2027. He stated that this was why he went ahead and approached PLP leader Martha Karua and urged her that they should work together.

He stated that if they get divided by fielding different people for the presidential seat, like in 1992, when the late Mwai Kibaki and Kenneth Matiba both vied, giving President Moi an easy way of winning the presidency, should not happen again.

He told Uhuru that just like in 2006, when he shelved his presidential ambitions and supported Kibaki in 2007, they shall also, as the United Opposition, do the same.

Uhuru-Gachagua meeting

This came after Uhuru and Gachagua met, something that has taken the country by storm. The two, who were former allies and then fell out, later joined hands and were seen having friendly chit-chats and laughing as the funeral proceedings went on.

Gachagua has stated that there is nothing that can ruin the relationship between him and Uhuru. He stated that he worked for Uhuru for 20 years but fell out in the run-up to 2022 when they were on different sides. Gachagua linked the fallout to President Ruto, saying that he was the one who caused the rift.