A fierce political showdown unfolded in Meru County as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua led a delegation of opposition leaders into the heartland of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, aiming to challenge the incumbent administration’s hold over the 2027 contest.

On Friday, June 20, 2025, the opposition, led by Gachagua’s Democratic Conservative Party (DCP), held mass rallies across Meru, a region traditionally considered Kindiki’s stronghold.

 Speaking at the rally, Gachagua accused Kindiki of using development forums under President Ruto’s regime to mislead and co-opt grassroots leaders through “lies” and “bribes” at his Karen residence in Nairobi.

“We will not be cowed by Karen meetings. Neither will we allow Kindiki to give President William Ruto Meru, our ground, come 2027,” he said.

Gachagua seized the moment to critique the so-called “Karen meetings” organised by Kindiki.

 “When we were campaigning with President William Ruto, we did economic forums across the country, and the people were clear what they wanted… What is happening at the deputy president’s official residence in Nairobi is a shame. People are being paid to listen to lies,” he thundered.

He issued a direct challenge to Kindiki: “There is no need to call people to Karen. You should come to the ground,” arguing that Kindiki’s consultative model is divisive and misleading the Meru people.”

 He called on Meru leaders to reject intimidation tactics.

“We are sending a strict signal to those who have betrayed us that they will be sent home alongside President Ruto.” He added, “MPs should stop intimidating us when we visit Meru. Let them know that Rigathi Gachagua also has millions of followers.”

Joining Gachagua in Meru, Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya, who echoed the urgency of the moment.

 Speaking at the rally, he blamed the ruling administration for not fulfilling promises made to Meru’s farmers and youth.

“It is disrespectful to the people of Meru to call them to Nairobi to spew lies,” he said, contrasting grassroots engagement with the centralised forums in Karen.

Gakuya further underscored the emotional resonance of these gatherings: “We have two years to persevere under this administration,” he said about their plans to position the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

He framed the campaign as one of endurance: “Let us be patient… we foresee winning more than 120 parliamentary seats in the next election.”

Kindiki on Opposition

In response, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki dismissed the opposition incursions as distractions aimed at igniting regional tension. Addressing community leaders at his Irunduni home in Tharaka-Nithi County,

 “I’m too busy for political wars… Naona watu wengine wanataka tujibizane” (“I see some people want us to bicker,” he warned.

He also questioned the legitimacy of Gachagua’s “intimidation-based” politics, stating at a stadium event in Nyeri: “We all know he is greedy and self‑centred… we don’t want any leader threatening everybody.” Kindiki insisted local leaders aligned with Ruto would not be coerced by Gachagua’s

At his Karen residence, Kindiki told Kiambu leaders: “The former DP cannot purport to make decisions on behalf of the people of Mt Kenya.

 He doesn’t own the people of the mountain.” He described Gachagua’s attempts to assert political dominance as baseless.