NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly declared political unity with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at AIPCA Kiamworia in Gatundu South, Kiambu County — President Kenyatta’s political backyard — Gachagua said he and the Jubilee Party leader shared a common position on the need for regional cohesion.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader told congregants that he remains in contact with Uhuru, who, he said, had encouraged sustained unity within Mt Kenya.
Gachagua also conveyed greetings from the former president to the church, insisting that Uhuru deserved dignity, respect and a peaceful retirement after serving the country.
“He did his part as president and handed over leadership peacefully,” Gachagua said, amid applause from the congregation.
In a political turn, the former deputy president defended Uhuru against renewed attacks from leaders affiliated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accusing President William Ruto of orchestrating the criticism through proxies.
“We are seeing some ODM leaders attacking Uhuru Kenyatta, but the truth is it is not them — it is President William Ruto sending them,” Gachagua said. “Our leader finished his work and handed over power. I have said clearly that no one should attack Uhuru.”
The remarks mark a notable de-escalation of tensions between Jubilee and DCP, parties that have been competing for influence in Mt Kenya following the bitter fallout between Uhuru and Gachagua during the 2022 election campaigns.
Gachagua acknowledged Uhuru’s role in backing ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential race, saying the former president worked to deliver over one million votes for Raila despite resistance within the region.
However, official Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) results show that Raila garnered 889,506 votes from the combined Mt Kenya counties.
The former DP further accused President Ruto of deliberately destabilising ODM by encouraging internal succession battles aimed at weakening the party in its traditional strongholds.
“The problem facing ODM is not Uhuru Kenyatta. It is President Ruto, who is working day and night to reduce ODM into a Luo Nyanza party,” Gachagua claimed.
He alleged that Cabinet secretaries Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya were being encouraged to make leadership bids that could fracture ODM support at the Coast and in Western Kenya.
Gachagua argued that Uhuru was being unfairly targeted for political manoeuvres he was not directing.
His comments come months after Uhuru cautioned Jubilee leaders against attacking Gachagua, even as they worked to rebuild the party.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has also called for unity, saying the region had previously been misled into fighting one of its own.
The latest overtures suggest Gachagua is seeking to build a united Mt Kenya front at a time when President Ruto is actively courting the region.
The President is currently on a three-day tour of the area, where he is expected to launch key development projects, including the Karatina Marikiti market and affordable housing initiatives.
