Gachagua Ally Breaks Ranks Over Alleged Attempt to Dominate Mt. Kenya Politics
Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, a prominent political ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has publicly severed ties with him, citing frustrations over what he perceives as an attempt to exert excessive control over the political direction of the Mt. Kenya region.
In a local interview, Wambugu, previously a staunch supporter of Gachagua, criticized the Deputy President for sidelining other regional leaders and attempting to impose a singular political narrative in the region.
“The future of Mt. Kenya politics cannot and will not be dictated by one individual,” said the former MP. “We must embrace diversity of opinion and empower local leaders to engage with their constituents without being micromanaged.”
Sources close to the former lawmaker revealed that tensions had been simmering for months, with discontent growing over Gachagua’s perceived authoritarian grip on political mobilization and party decisions.
Political analysts view this development as a significant moment in Mt. Kenya’s post-2022 political realignment, potentially paving the way for new coalitions or renegotiated alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wambugu has pledged his loyalty to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Jubilee Party.
It also signals growing resistance to what some leaders consider centralized control within the ruling coalition.
As the political landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on how Gachagua and his allies respond to mounting dissent from within their own backyard.
