Gakuya says Gachagua commands 80% of Mt Kenya
By Cy Muganda, March 18, 2025Embakasi North MP James Gakuya has asserted that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua remains the dominant political figure in the Mt. Kenya region, despite his removal from government.
In an interview with a local media station on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Gakuya argued that President Ruto’s decision to sideline Gachagua has significantly impacted his standing in the vote-rich region.
“The truth of the matter is that what is making William Ruto have sleepless nights is the negative mood in the Mt. Kenya region,” Gakuya stated.
He further asserted that Mt Kenya voters feel betrayed by Ruto’s administration, and their frustration is fueling political resentment in the area.
“As we stand today, I can tell you for sure that Gachagua commands 80% of ‘Murima’ (Mt. Kenya). The President was fully aware that the one thing Mt. Kenya people cannot tolerate is political betrayal,” he added.
According to Gakuya, Gachagua’s removal has left a deep wound in the region, as voters believe one of their own was unfairly sidelined.
“The arrangement, right from the second most senior person, was purged. That purge is a big pain back there. Even for me, it became difficult to continue supporting William Ruto with that kind of purge,” he stated.
The MP believes that issues regarding Gachagua’s leadership could have been resolved at the party level instead of leading to his outright removal.
“I believe that these small teething issues could have been dealt with within the party, and anything that could have gone wrong could have been sorted. But because somebody deliberately wanted to finish Gachagua politically, that decision was made. And that pain is still in the minds of ‘Murima’ voters,” Gakuya said.
Threats and intimidations
In a media interview on Monday, March 17, 2025, Gachagua claimed that President Ruto used threats and political maneuvering to silence him before his impeachment in October 2024.
According to Gachagua, tensions with the President began early in their administration.
He suggested that, despite their public display of unity during the 2022 election campaign, friction arose almost immediately after they took office.
“When I spoke out about something being done wrong, President Ruto would threaten me. He would say that he chose me as his Deputy, that other leaders did not want me in that position, and that he was able to pay MPs and Senators to impeach me,” Gachagua claimed.
Ousting Ruto
Speaking earlier on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Gachagua indicated that Mt Kenya voters are planning to vote out any leader who continues to support Ruto, labelling them as betrayers.
“My people are telling me that anyone who has ever betrayed them will not have a chance. They are also telling me that anyone supporting Ruto while he is oppressing them will also not have a chance,” he stated.
Gachagua revealed that he has been forgiven by the people of Mt. Kenya for his alignment with Ruto and is now actively seeking new political alliances outside the region.
“I was lied to by Ruto, but my people have forgiven me, and that is why they have sent me. They have told me to make good friends outside the region. We will engage the Akamba, the Abagusii, and many others. Other tribes have now seen that we are a truthful people,” he said.