One of President William Ruto’s advisers, Makau Mutua, now says the Mt Kenya region is no longer behind former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

This is even as political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue to take shape.

Speaking during a local television interview on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Mutua argued that voters from the vote-rich region have moved on from Gachagua, citing his impeachment and questioning his political future.

“Riggy G is a man impeached; by law he cannot run, but even if he could run, do we really want a Gachagua running our country?

“The man, I think even the people of the mountain are sick and tired of him,” Mutua said.

In his own words, Makau Mutua said the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua was a big blow to him politically, because it was when voters from the Mt Kenya region realised that their son could not take them anywhere.

This is because, Makau Mutua believes, an impeached person like Rigathi Gachagua cannot hold any elected or public office in the land.

At the time of publication, no publicly released opinion poll, independent research or official report had been presented to support his assertion that the Mt Kenya region has abandoned Gachagua politically.

Gachagua maintains Mt Kenya is behind him

Mutua’s remarks also contrast sharply with Gachagua’s own public position.

In recent weeks, the former Deputy President has repeatedly maintained that he continues to enjoy overwhelming support in Mt Kenya and is working with leaders from other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

While addressing supporters at his Wamunyoro residence, Gachagua recently urged Kenyans to register as voters, saying the ballot would determine the country’s leadership in 2027.

“We, the people of Mt Kenya, are the ones who made him President and together with other Kenyans, we shall remove him,” Gachagua said in reference to President William Ruto.

During the same address, Gachagua also threatened to rally Kenyans to boycott paying taxes should the government proceed with the proposed annual inspection of private motor vehicles.

His statements suggested confidence that he still commands significant political influence in Mt Kenya and beyond.

Mt Kenya remains politically significant

The debate comes as Mt Kenya continues to be viewed as one of Kenya’s most influential voting blocs.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has projected that the region could have more than seven million registered voters by the 2027 General Election, making it the country’s largest voting bloc.

Political observers expect the region to remain at the centre of intense competition as both the Kenya Kwanza administration and opposition leaders seek to consolidate support ahead of the polls.

Mutua comments on Sifuna and Karua

Beyond Gachagua, Mutua also weighed in on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political future.

“Sifuna is a guy who drank his own Kool-Aid. They say when you hear the applause, my man enjoys it, but doesn’t believe it. The young man believes the applause.

“He should enjoy it and go out there and build a career; he has some potential. Maybe 20-30 years down the line, people might give him a second look,” he said.

Mutua further argued that Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua had missed her opportunity to become a stronger national political figure.

“Martha Karua had a shot to take, and she missed it. When we in Azimio gave her the opportunity to become the running mate, she was a miserable failure. She very badly lost the debate with Gachagua.

“How can anyone lose that debate with Gachagua? I think Martha is a spent force; her time came and went. It’s time for her to retire from politics,” Mutua said.

Neither Gachagua, Sifuna, nor Karua had publicly responded to Mutua’s latest remarks by the time of publication.

With more than a year remaining before the 2027 General Election, competition for Mt Kenya’s millions of votes is expected to intensify.

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