Manyatta Member of Parliament (MP) Gitonga Mukunji has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political camp has already secured 80 per cent of the national vote, largely driven by a surge in support from Kenya’s Gen Z.

Speaking on Sunday, May 4, 2025, during a church service hosted by the former Deputy President at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, Mukunji dismissed claims that Gachagua had been involved in plans to destabilise the government, saying instead that a youth-driven movement was propelling the former second-in-command closer to full public backing.

“In Embu, we were among the first to say Ruto must go,” Mukunji declared. “We saw through his deception and circus. That is why we decided to stand with Gachagua.”

The youthful MP praised the Gen Z generation for standing firm during recent anti-government protests in Nairobi and across the country. He claimed that the government had falsely accused Gachagua of plotting a coup to distract from the real issues raised by the demonstrators.

“Your Excellency, when Gen Z were out in the streets, the government blamed you,” he said, addressing Gachagua. “They claimed you wanted to overthrow the government so they could have a reason to remove you from office.”

Mukunji, who identified himself as the chairman of youth in Parliament, said that young people across the nation were now fully aligned with Gachagua’s team and ready to push the movement to 100 percent support.

“As we speak, we’ve already secured 80 percent of the vote,” he said. “Only 20 percent remains, and it’s on the way. The youth are now behind this team. We’re done entertaining lies and gimmicks meant to silence and kill our young people.”

Key figures present

The service was graced by a trove of Kenyan political bigwigs, including Eugene Wamalwa, Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Martha Karua, among many others—all of whom were given the stage to introduce themselves and address the crowd.

Fred Matiang’i was the last of the day’s political heavyweights to arrive, making a headline-worthy entrance. He was received with pomp and colour, as the crowd erupted in cheers. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua walked over, embraced him warmly, and personally ushered him to his designated seat.

PLP leader Martha Karua was among the very first to arrive and was equally treated to a grand and honourable reception.

In a video that was livestreamed on Gachagua’s Facebook page, Karua was seen being received by a group of women who could be heard singing jubilation songs in the local Kikuyu dialect.

“Welcome to our Wamunyoro Residence, my sister, Hon. Martha Wangari Karua. We forge ahead for a great Kenya together,” Gachagua wrote on X.

Upon entering the compound, Karua was received by Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who embraced her before she proceeded to embrace Gachagua.

She was then led into the house as the group of women continued singing jubilation songs in the compound.

Leaders allied to Gachagua, including Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa and former water CS Sicily Kariuki, were present at the event.

The event’s master of ceremonies was Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who had the crowd in stitches with his witty jokes. His humour, however, carried a sharp edge, as he directed much of his playful banter at President Ruto’s government, poking fun at its failure to live up to the promises made to Kenyans during the campaign trail.