Gachagua to tour Meru, Embu to strengthen Mt Kenya unity ahead of 2027 duel
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 19, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he will visit Meru and Embu as he seeks to unite the Mt Kenya region and prevent what he describes as attempts to split the mountain vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a church service at the ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga, St Thomas Cathedral, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Gachagua said he would travel to Mt Kenya East after completing consultations in his Wamunyoro home area.
He said his planned visits to Meru and Embu would focus on engaging residents and leaders on the importance of maintaining a united political voice within the wider Mt Kenya region.
“Mimi nikimaliza kazi niko nayo Wamunyoro, nitaenda Embu na Meru siku sita. Huko niende tena niongee na watu wetu tuelewane. Wameniambia niende,” Gachagua said.
His remarks came amid growing political debate over the future of the Mt Kenya region, with leaders offering different views on whether the area should continue operating as one political bloc or embrace separate regional interests.
Gachagua argued that unity within Mt Kenya would determine the region’s influence in the 2027 presidential contest.
“The only way William Ruto can come back to power is if he succeeds in dividing the mountain and the mountain vote,” he said.
“Once we are united as a community, as a people, as a region, our votes, added to the rest of Kenyans, ataenda nyumbani asubuhi.”
Gachagua rejects Mt Kenya split
Gachagua criticised efforts by some leaders to promote a distinction between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, saying such divisions would weaken the region’s political bargaining power.
He specifically mentioned Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who has been pushing for greater recognition and autonomy for Mt Kenya East.
Ruku has argued that Mt Kenya East, which includes counties such as Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi, has historically received fewer development opportunities and leadership positions compared to Mt Kenya West.
Speaking recently in Igembe South, Ruku cited differences in road development and resource allocation as reasons why Mt Kenya East should have a stronger independent voice.
However, Gachagua dismissed the idea of separating the region politically.
“Anasema ati gawa Mount Kenya East and West. Na haiwezekani. This mountain must stay as one,” he said.
He also claimed that some leaders were being encouraged to create divisions within Mt Kenya for political reasons.
“Ametafuta mtu anaitwa Ruku na yule mtu anaitwa Soprano. Si mnajua Soprano?” Gachagua said.
Gachagua has continued to make Mt Kenya unity a central theme in his political messaging as he positions his Democratic Change Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Since leaving government after his impeachment as deputy president in 2024, Gachagua has maintained that Mt Kenya’s political strength depends on maintaining a common position.
Earlier in June, he announced a temporary pause from public rallies as he focused on consultations on building a united political movement and identifying a joint presidential candidate to challenge Ruto.
During the announcement, Gachagua said his consultations would involve political leaders, professionals, religious leaders and community representatives.
“The work of political mobilisation to remove President William Ruto is complete. Now we focus on identifying a single presidential candidate,” he said at the time.
His latest remarks suggest a renewed focus on regional mobilisation, particularly in Mt Kenya East, where political competition has intensified ahead of 2027.
Political battlegrounds
Meru and Embu have become important areas in the wider political contest because of their sizeable voter populations and influence within Mt Kenya politics.
Several leaders have recently sought support from the region, with competing messages on representation, development and political alliances.
Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has also warned against attempts to divide Mt Kenya, arguing that a united region would have stronger negotiating power nationally.
Linturi previously said Mt Kenya’s combined voting strength played a major role in determining presidential outcomes.
“The requirement for the president is 50 per cent plus one vote. Mt Kenya, or GEMA, controls 47 to 49 per cent in numbers. As long as we are compact, none can be president without our support,” he said.
The debate has intensified as Ruto’s administration seeks to maintain support in the region where he received significant backing during the 2022 General Election.
At the same time, opposition-aligned leaders and Gachagua’s allies have been working to consolidate support around an alternative political arrangement ahead of 2027.
Gachagua told worshippers that Mt Kenya residents should remain united and work together despite political differences.
“But if we are divided, huyu mtu anaweza kurudi. Na akirudi sisi tuko kwa shida. So, tupendane,” he said.