Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has criticized President William Ruto and Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki for allegedly attempting to divide the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at a rally in Nakuru on August 15, 2026, Gachagua dismissed efforts to fragment the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities, emphasizing that Mt. Kenya’s political and social identity transcends boundaries.
Gachagua mocked the President’s strategy, accusing him of trying to consolidate political support by sowing division within the region. He said:
“Huyu Kasongo anapanga ndiyo arudi kutumaliza, lazima agawanye Mlima. Ati atoe Nakuru, sababu nyinyi si watu wa mlima. Mlima, Kasongo, hauna mipaka. Mlima ni jamii, mlima ni sisi, wale tunaongea vile tunaongea.”
He further alleged that President Ruto aimed to separate the Meru and Embu communities from the broader Mt. Kenya bloc, adding that past attempts to divide the region had failed, including those by former President Moi.
“Anataka ati agawanye Wameru na Waembu, awaondoe ati ndio atukalie. Wewe Kasongo, Mzungu mweupe, mweupe si wewe mweusi, alijaribu kugawanya sisi, akashindwa. Moi mwenyewe, miaka ishirini na nne, alijaribu kutugawanya sisi, akashindwa,” Gachagua stated.
He likened the division attempts to futilely trying to cut down a mugumo tree with a razor blade, warning the strategy would only cause harm to the plotters.
The DCP leader also accused Prof. Kindiki of being tasked to mobilize elders in Embu to distance themselves from Mt. Kenya’s political unity. Gachagua questioned the effectiveness of this campaign, alleging that the elders rejected the proposal despite receiving funds.
“Sasa ati ametuma Soprano huko Embu. Unajua Soprano? Yule bonoko. Ni bure si bure? Ati bonoko, ameita wazee wa Embu. Amewapatia fedha wazee wa Embu ati waondoke kwa mlima. Hao wazee wamechukua pesa, wamesema haiwezekani. Wamesema hawa ni kama watu wa Ol Kalou,” he explained.
Gachagua concluded by affirming the unity of the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities, stating that no one can divide them and that their strength lies in their unity.
“Anatumika na Kasongo kugawanya Mlima na haiwezekani. Sisi jamii ya Kikuyu na Waembu na Wameru, sisi tukiungana, hakuna mtu anayeweza kutugawanya. Na umoja wetu ndiyo nguvu yetu, si ndiyo?” he said.
These remarks come amid intensified political maneuvering in Mt. Kenya as leaders seek to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 elections, with the region’s unity remaining a critical political issue.
