Kimani Ngunjiri : Gachagua is not influential in Mt Kenya
By Nancy Marende, November 11, 2025Former Bahati Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri has downplayed the influence of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua in the Mt Kenya region, arguing that his political support is limited to sympathy votes and tribal backing.
Speaking at a local TV station on Monday, November 10, 2025, Ngunjiri stated that while Gachagua does have supporters, his influence is not as widespread as is often perceived.
Also Watch: Gachagua denies rift with Matiang’i, accuses Ruto of planting moles in opposition.
“Gachagua is not influential. What I can say is he has two things: he got in Central is sympathy votes and support from the tribal region. I cannot say he does not have people; he has, but it is primarily because of those factors,” Ngunjiri said.
This comes a few months after Kimani Wambugu pleaded with Mt Kenya voters to be wary of emotion-based politics characterised by meaningless slogans.
Through his Facebook page on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the outspoken politician advised that the region should instead focus on what it stands to gain from whichever government is in power, whether it serves one term or two terms.
“The most crucial thing Mt Kenya must discuss is what we will get from the administration, whether WanTam or TuTam. Coz ultimately it will still leave. But what we get stays with us, beyond WanTam or TuTam,” Wambugu stated.
Also Watch: Kawanjiku hits out at Gachagua over ‘Mt Kenya witch-hunt’ claims.
Call for sober discussions
Wambugu argued that the people of Mt Kenya must move beyond slogans and political catchphrases when determining their stake in national politics.
He emphasised that the region’s focus should be on tangible gains such as infrastructure development, economic empowerment, and fair resource distribution, not the emotional appeals of politicians.
According to him, such a shift in mindset would safeguard the region’s long-term interests regardless of which political faction controls the State House.
He added that power transitions in Kenya have always been temporary, but benefits secured in the form of projects or funding allocations remain permanent.
The message was interpreted as a subtle warning against the growing rhetoric within Mt Kenya politics, where factions continue to polarise residents with chants like WanTam (One Term) and TuTam (Two Terms).
These slogans have gained traction amid debates over Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid and the political positioning of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.