Tony Gachoka: Kindiki faces political isolation as Mt Kenya backs Gachagua
By Faith Lagat, July 17, 2026KANU spokesman Tony Gachoka has said Deputy President Kithure Kindiki faces political isolation, claiming the Mt Kenya region has shifted its support to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
In a post on X on Friday, July 17, 2026, Gachoka said President William Ruto could also rethink his running mate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Kithure Kindiki, you must know that your goose is cooked,” Gachoka wrote.
“Mt Kenya has moved on with Rigathi Gachagua & Western with Sifuna. William Ruto has no longer any use for you. His running mate fronted by Farouk Kibet shall be Moses Wetang’ula to try & cover Kikuyu numbers lost.”
His remarks came hours after the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, defeating the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in one of the most closely watched contests in the Mt Kenya region.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.
Ol Kalou outcome fuels political debate
DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah to win the parliamentary seat.
The result prompted fresh debate over political influence in Mt Kenya, with Gachagua describing the outcome as a reflection of public opinion ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Nyahururu after the results, Gachagua said the vote showed growing dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“All over this country, people have told us they are done with William Ruto. It is finished; it is over, Mr President,” he said.
Gachagua also said voters were concerned about the country’s political direction as preparations for the next General Election gather pace.
The by-election had attracted senior leaders from both DCP and UDA, with each side treating the contest as a key political test in the region.
Kindiki’s earlier remarks return to focus
The outcome also renewed attention on remarks made by Kindiki during a political meeting in Nyandarua in May.
At the time, the deputy president said he would politically confront Gachagua in Ol Kalou.
“We will meet with that man. We will deal with him squarely,” Kindiki said.
Following the conclusion of voting, however, Kindiki congratulated Waweru on his victory and commended Muchina for conducting what he described as a mature, issue-based campaign.
Gachoka’s comments have also renewed discussion over possible political alignments ahead of 2027.
In his X post, he claimed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula could emerge as President Ruto’s running mate, saying the move would help the ruling coalition strengthen support outside Mt Kenya.
In recent months, leaders from Western Kenya have publicly backed Wetang’ula for the deputy president’s position while calling on the region to rally behind President Ruto in 2027.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has also said he intends to seek the presidency in the future and has urged Western Kenya leaders to work together to strengthen the region’s influence in national politics.
While government leaders have described the Ol Kalou by-election as a constituency contest, political leaders across the divide continue to interpret the outcome as an indicator of shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.