Former Bahati Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri has explained two factors he thinks make Rigathi Gachagua a popular politician in the Mount Kenya region.

Ngunjiri said that the former deputy president has been propelled to more fame after impeachment by tribalism and sympathy.

“After his impeachment, Gachagua has two things that are making him very strong in Mlima (Mt. Kenya): sympathy and tribalism. There are two things that are messing up this country: money and tribalism,” Ngunjiri said in an interview with a local radio station on April 23, 2025.

On whether he is in the Gachagua political camp, the former legislator revealed that there are some issues that he does not agree with the former DP.

“It is not that I have left Gachagua, but let him do his politics because there are some things that I disagree with him on. When he says that this party is for Mlima, that’s profiling Kikuyus in one basket. I would not like to be in that deal,” he added.

Ngunjiri added that he would not abuse Gachagua and President William Ruto, but he can offer them political advice because he considers himself an elder.

“I am saved by God. I want to preach peace and bring people together. I cannot abuse the president, and I cannot abuse Gachagua, but I can correct anything they are doing wrong as an elder,” he continued.