Peter Kagwanja: Uhuru still holds significant influence in Mt Kenya
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 6, 2026Political analyst Peter Kagwanja has come out to warn against underrating the influence of the fourth president, Uhuru Kenyatta, in the Mt Kenya region.
While speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, April 6, 2026, the seasoned and outspoken analyst stated that the influence of the fourth president cannot be taken for granted, noting that he remains a leading kingmaker in the region.
According to him, Uhuru Kenyatta will have a significant say in the 2027 elections, especially in Mt Kenya politics, a region that remains highly sought after. This is largely because the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is targeting about 7.5 million registered voters from the area.
“Uhuru Kenyatta cannot be taken for granted; he has sway in Mt Kenya as an individual, if not through his party at present, and therefore he remains one of the leading kingmakers in the region,” Kagwanja stated.
This comes days after the fourth president met with the united opposition in Kirinyaga, a move that has sent ripples across the political landscape in both camps.
His renewed closeness with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has particularly raised eyebrows, given their previous fallout. The two were recently seen together during the funeral of former area senator Daniel Karaba.
What further fuelled the political debate was Uhuru’s apparent endorsement of Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) rhetoric, as he was seen using the party’s slogans ‘Skiza Ground’ and gesturing by placing his hand around the ear, moves widely interpreted as symbolic alignment with Gachagua’s political messaging.
Manyora’s view
Seasoned political analyst Herman Manyora, on his side, has predicted that if Uhuru and his former personal assistant Rigathi Gachagua unite and agree to move together, the mountain will be gone.
Manyora further adds that should the two unite, it will be a significant move, and the whole mountain will fully align itself behind these leaders to the detriment of William Ruto.
“If Uhuru and Gachagua were to sit together and work together, that ends the whole thing. It means the mountain is gone for good and in a big way. Ruto must have been hoping that Uhuru and Gachagua would never work together.”
Manyora further states that it was William Ruto’s wish that the two never unite since he also knew that should they do so, it would have a great impact on his 2027 re-election.
Caroli Omondi’s view
Suba South MP, who doubles as the recently appointed Secretary General of the Azimio coalition, Caroli Omondi, has also taken a swipe at the meeting of the two in Kirinyaga during former Senator Daniel Karaba’s send-off, saying that should the two decide to work together, since they have already shown signs of doing so, it will be of great significance to the opposition.
Peter Kagwanja has also termed Uhuru as a ‘Muthamaki’, meaning leader, while Gachagua is a ‘mutongoria’, a person who runs daily errands for the community and takes instructions from the boss, Muthamaki.