President William Ruto's allies have established a third political command center in Kirinyaga County as the battle for Mt Kenya's decisive voting bloc fractures into competing camps ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election. Ndia MP George Kariuki has launched what he calls "consultative forums" at his Gacharu home, positioning himself as a potential running mate and counterweight to impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's surging opposition movement.
Kariuki's 90-day consultation series comes as the region's political landscape splits between Gachagua's Wamunyoro base, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's Irunduni home operations, and now this third center in Kirinyaga. "By next year, I will have served the people of Ndia for ten years. Am I not fit for a bigger role?" Kariuki asked women leaders from Othaya constituency on Monday. "Can't I play a part in national politics?"
The Regional Divide Strategy
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku confirmed to the Nation that there's "a grand scheme to win about three million votes for Dr Ruto in the Mt Kenya region." Ruku's strategy centers on splitting Mt Kenya East—comprising Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi—from the rebellious western counties of Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nyandarua and parts of Laikipia where opposition to Ruto has concentrated.
"The Ndia MP and I are working together and we will bring other like-minded leaders on board," Ruku said Tuesday. "We want to tell our people that this is a government we put in power and we cannot leave at this point in time." He's pushing Mt Kenya East autonomy while claiming the region, including parts of Kirinyaga, will deliver more than three million votes for Ruto's reelection bid.
Ruku's approach puts Kindiki in a difficult position. The deputy president has called for unity while his allies actively promote regional division. "We in the East supported Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta during their term as Presidents," Ruku said. "But now that our own son Prof Kindiki is second in command and has chances of ascending to presidency in 2032, we have become your enemies."
Gachagua's Growing Momentum
The urgency behind Ruto's camp establishing this third power base becomes clear when examining Gachagua's recent electoral success. Less than one month ago, his Democracy for Citizens Party candidate Kamau Ngotho crushed UDA's Muchina Nyaga by over 30,000 votes in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Gachagua claims it was a protest vote against Ruto.
Since his impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua has waged a vigorous campaign against his former boss, whom he accuses of betrayal. Last month, he announced a 45-day retreat at his Wamunyoro village home, which has become a decision-making hub receiving delegations from across the region, Nairobi and the Rift Valley. His Wantam movement aims to ensure Ruto serves only one term.
Tomorrow, Gachagua takes his mobilization into politically strategic Nakuru County with a two-day tour beginning in Naivasha on Friday before moving through Nakuru Town East and West constituencies. Saturday's itinerary includes Njoro, Elburgon, Turi, Molo, Kibunja and Rongai.
The Nakuru Battleground
Nakuru represents critical terrain for both camps. Often described as "Mt Kenya in the diaspora," the county sits at the intersection of Mount Kenya and Rift Valley voting blocs and has historically attracted intense competition among national political formations. Its diverse electorate will test whether Gachagua's momentum in parts of Mount Kenya translates beyond his traditional base.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, a founding DCP member, is spearheading the party's Nakuru expansion despite government pressure. Last year, dozens of officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations raided her Maraigushu home and arrested her. Kihara has repeatedly described the incident and subsequent legal battles as political persecution linked to her loyalty to Gachagua.
"This is purely a meet-the-people tour," Kihara said in an interview. "The purpose is to popularise the party and interact with Mwananchi." She said Gachagua will officially open a DCP office in Nakuru Town as the party builds its presence across the county.
DCP has already attracted several Nakuru MCAs, including Lare's Philip Wanjohi Ndiritu, Turi's John Mwangi Macharia, Maella's Jane Wanjiru Gituku, Kiamaina's Paul Kipkorir Tuwei and Elementaita's George Wang'ang'a Mwaura. Others include Kihingo MCA Simon Kamau Karanja, Shabaab MCA Wathiai, Mai Mahiu's Eliud Kamau Chege, Elburgon's Peter Njuguna Mwaura and Subukia's Isabella Makori, alongside nominated MCAs Ann Njaguara and Bethsheba Kerubo.
The Unity Challenge
Governance expert Prof Gitile Naituli warns that Ruto's camp faces an uphill battle dividing the mountain vote. "Gachagua has established political dominance in Mt Kenya to a level that he has become the region's kingpin," he said. "This is because the people feel that he is their savior from Kenya Kwanza administration's attacks and perceived persecution."
Naituli added: "It'll also be an uphill task dividing the mountain vote because the people of this region don't only vote together but they are over 50 per cent socially and economically integrated. It'll not be a walk in the park."
DCP official Dr Peter Mbae said the Ol Kalou victory demonstrated that the party could win elections through peaceful democratic processes. He described the Nakuru tour as crucial for consolidating support and gathering views to shape the party's 2027 manifesto. "Nakuru is home to people from every part of the country," he said. "The party leader will emphasise that everybody has a desire to live peacefully here."
Biashara Ward MCA Fadhili Msuri welcomed Gachagua's visit but urged peaceful campaigns. "Nakuru is a cosmopolitan county, and anyone seeking an elective seat or popularising a political party is welcome," he said. "However, we urge all leaders and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns and refrain from using tribal rhetoric, hate speech or propaganda that could disrupt political meetings or divide residents."
Political analyst Joseph Omondi warned that increasing mobilization could deepen ethnic and political divisions. "In Kenya, elections are never issue-based but about the tribal kingpins, and we are worried about the polarising politics we are currently witnessing," he said. "Nakuru is not new to political violence and this is something we should avoid at all costs."
Nakuru County Commander Samuel Boit said security agencies were awaiting formal notification from DCP before making security arrangements. "We have not been notified of the rallies; we are still waiting," he said. "Once they do that, we will plan on the security issues."
Why This Matters:
The fragmentation of Mt Kenya's political unity threatens to reshape Kenya's 2027 presidential contest in ways that could either secure or doom President Ruto's reelection bid. The region delivered overwhelming support for Ruto in 2022, making it essential to his governing coalition. Gachagua's ability to convert grievances into electoral victories—demonstrated decisively in Ol Kalou—suggests his opposition movement has traction beyond rhetoric. Ruto's response through Kariuki and Ruku reveals the administration's recognition that losing Mt Kenya unity could prove fatal to a second term. The competing power centers also raise questions about governance stability when political energy focuses on 2027 positioning rather than policy delivery. For voters facing economic pressures, the spectacle of three rival camps claiming to represent their interests while dividing their political leverage may ultimately weaken the region's ability to extract concrete benefits from any national government. Nakuru's diverse electorate will provide the first major test of whether Gachagua's appeal extends beyond ethnic grievance into a broader coalition capable of challenging an incumbent president.