KIRINYAGA, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has fired back at President William Ruto, maintaining that the Mount Kenya region demands political respect and economic equity rather than state-sponsored “goodies” and handouts.
Speaking during a church service in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua broke his silence following a high-stakes parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County.
The by-election, widely framed as a litmus test for the region’s political alignment, saw a resounding victory for Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru under Gachagua’s newly spearheaded Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), dealing a major blow to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
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The political fallout intensified after National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, speaking at an ODM function, suggested that development projects initially channeled to Ol Kalou should be redirected to the Nyanza region, arguing that Nyandarua residents had rejected the President’s political direction despite receiving state resources.
Responding directly to these claims, Gachagua stated that the electorate in Mount Kenya cannot be bought with tokens.
“We don’t want goodies. The people of Mount Kenya are hardworking and resilient. What this region requires is a conducive economic environment to trade, fair returns for our agricultural produce, and above all, political respect,” Gachagua declared.
He added that the region’s economic backbone can thrive independently without relying on political patronage or transactional development, provided the national government addresses core structural economic issues.
The former Deputy President’s remarks signal a deepening rift between the executive and the mountain region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts note that the Ol Kalou outcome and Gachagua’s subsequent bold stance indicate a significant shift in political dynamics, solidifying DCP’s presence as a formidable regional vehicle.
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