Gachagua: The mountain has not chosen the president, but knows whom to chase away
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 9, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned that President William Ruto is facing strong opposition across key regions, particularly Mount Kenya.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Ithanga, Murang’a, during the burial of Herbert Kariithi Macharia, Gachagua claimed that Ruto has been on his neck over the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
“Ruto na watu yake wanamulika mimi sana kwa sababu ya hii Mlima Kenya. Unajua hii mlima iko na kura milioni sita. Navile ninaona itaenda milioni nane. Na hii kura imeamua. Haijaamua itachagua nani, lakini imeamua ni nani itafukuza,” Gachagua said.
He added that Ruto is cornered from Mount Kenya, the Lower Eastern, Western, Nairobi, and the Coast.
“Amejipata mahali Moi alijipata 1992. Moi had been cornered. Lakini akakuwa mjaja sana. Na sisi hatukuwa tumeerevuka. Akakuja hapa mlimani, hii kura ya mlima ilikuwa imemkataa yote, vile imekataa William Ruto leo,” he said.
Gachagua also highlighted how past leaders managed regional votes. He noted that Daniel arap Moi strategised carefully in 1992, and Mwai Kibaki won in 2002 by consolidating votes across regions.
“2002, tukasema hakuna kugawanya, ndio Kibaki akapata 3.6 million, against ya Uhuru ya 1.8 million,” he said.
Gachagua warns against division
He accused Ruto of trying to divide Mount Kenya votes, echoing warnings he has made several times this year. In September, Gachagua said that Ruto has planted “wheelbarrows” in Mount Kenya to split votes.
“Ruto has got several wheelbarrows in the mountain so as to divide the votes,” Gachagua said. “I said that Kiunjuri is a wheelbarrow, I also said Kabogo is a wheelbarrow. He has a lot of wheelbarrows he is moving around. He has two in Murang’a, one in Kiambu, one in Kirinyaga, and even this one for Kuria.”
During the burial in Muranga, Gachagua also dismissed claims that tribalism is Kenya’s main problem.
“The problem with Kenya is not tribalism. The problem in Kenya is theft of public resources,” he said.
Gachagua’s speech underlined a tense political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections. He emphasised the importance of unity in Mount Kenya, warning that any attempt to split votes would play into Ruto’s hands.
“Kwa sababu hii milioni saba, ikiwekwa ya Ukambani millioni tatu, ya Western millioni nne, ya Coast millioni mbili, si ameenda nyumbani. Ile kazi ako naye, ni vile atagawanya hii Mlima,” he said.
Gachagua’s message comes as political alliances shift and the fight for Mount Kenya votes intensifies, with both sides recognising the region’s strategic influence.