Impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a strong attack against leaders from the Mt. Kenya region who supported his impeachment in Parliament in October. Gachagua, a prominent leader from Nyeri County, has voiced his disappointment with those who backed the motion to oust him and has urged residents to show loyalty to those who stood by him.
Speaking to supporters, Gachagua praised several leaders from Nyeri, including Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, for their steadfast support. He encouraged the public to reject those he labeled as “traitors” in the political landscape. “In Nyeri, we fully support Governor Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu. The rest betrayed us. When the time comes, you will deal with them as you always do. Scout for strong defenders of our community,” Gachagua remarked.
Gachagua also pointed out the importance of the Mt. Kenya region’s political alignment, calling for reorganization in preparation for the 2027 General Elections. He hinted at the formation of a new political outfit, emphasizing that the region should no longer rely on alliances that may not serve its best interests, saying, “Never again will we attend a wedding in someone else’s vehicle.”
The debate surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment has further divided the Nyeri political scene. Ahead of the vote in the National Assembly, certain MPs, including Rahab Mukami, Geoffrey Wandeto, John Kaguchia, and Njoroge Wainaina, voiced their opposition to the motion, while others like Eric Wamumbi, Maina Mathenge, and Wambugu Wainaina supported it. The controversy continues to ripple through local politics, with some residents calling for the removal of MPs they believe betrayed Gachagua.
The former DP’s comments come amid growing tension and political intimidation. Maina Mathenge, who faced public backlash in Nyeri town during a recent event, is one of those who has borne the brunt of this division. There have also been efforts by residents in Mathira constituency, Gachagua’s home area, to gather signatures for the MP’s potential ouster.
In a related development, political intimidation claims have surfaced. Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa and other leaders recently appeared before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nyeri in connection to violence at a funeral in Limuru. Thang’wa, a Gachagua ally, expressed concerns that these summons were part of a broader strategy to suppress political opposition.
“This is part of the intimidation from the State. We will not be intimidated or stopped from fighting for our people,” Thang’wa declared. His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, accused the DCI of overreach, suggesting that any critic of the government is now a target.
The political landscape in Mt. Kenya remains highly charged as leaders and residents continue to navigate the fallout from the impeachment saga. As Gachagua vows to unite his supporters, his call for political reorganization signals a potential shift in the region’s political trajectory in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
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