NAIROBI, Kenya- A political contest that will only be decided in the 2027 General Election is already shaping up in Meru County, with former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi emerging as potential contenders for the governor’s seat.
The early positioning has also drawn in Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, as Munya’s criticism of the former Deputy President has increasingly focused on his leadership style and influence within the Mt Kenya region.
Munya, who leads the Party of National Unity (PNU), has sustained attacks against Gachagua, accusing him of adopting a leadership approach that he describes as bullying and authoritarian.
The former Agriculture CS is expected to face competition from Linturi, who currently serves as DCP’s National Organising Secretary and has been associated with Gachagua’s political outfit.
Munya challenges Gachagua’s approach
Speaking on Citizen TV, Munya said he respects Gachagua’s role in challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration but criticised what he termed the former Deputy President’s approach to engaging other leaders and political parties.
“We don’t have anything personal against Rigathi Gachagua. He has done a lot of work in terms of exposing the failures of the current government. We respect him and want to work with him, but the tendency to want to be a dictator and issuing threats to other people needs to stop,” Munya said.
Gachagua has, however, defended himself, saying he only wants Mt Kenya political parties to consolidate their support ahead of negotiation talks.
He rejected claims that he wants the parties to merge, and their leaders join DCP.
In a Facebook post, Munya urged the DCP leader to exercise restraint in his public remarks.
“Rigathi Gachagua, please discipline your tongue when speaking about other people, other political parties or other organisations. TUHESHIMIANE. Heshima si utumwa,” he wrote.
PNU seeks comeback in Meru
Munya has also expressed confidence that PNU can mount a strong challenge in Meru, saying the party has regained support in the county.
“PNU is the most popular party in Meru right now. Last elections I was not a candidate. I promoted Jubilee candidates but in this election, watch this space. PNU will shock many,” he said.
The former CS has not hidden his ambition to reclaim political influence in the region after previously serving in government under different administrations.
Linturi factor in DCP strategy
Linturi’s expected interest in the Meru governor race adds another layer to the political contest.
The former CS, who served in President William Ruto’s Cabinet before joining DCP leadership structures, is viewed as one of the party’s key figures in the region.
His potential candidature would give DCP a strong local presence as Gachagua seeks to expand the party’s grassroots support across Mt Kenya.
Gachagua’s balancing act
The unfolding political dynamics in Meru come as Gachagua pushes for greater cooperation among Mt Kenya political parties ahead of 2027.
The DCP leader has denied claims that he wants regional parties dissolved into his outfit, saying his focus is on consolidating political support while allowing parties to maintain their identities.
Gachagua has argued that coalition talks and discussions on a joint presidential candidate should come later, after parties strengthen their structures and demonstrate their political influence.
He has also said DCP intends to field candidates for various elective positions across the country, even as discussions continue on broader political partnerships.
Meru is expected to be one of the key political battlegrounds in Mt Kenya because of its significant voter population and its influence in regional politics.
The county’s 2027 gubernatorial contest could therefore become more than a race for the governor’s seat; it may also serve as an indicator of competing political forces seeking influence in the region.
For Gachagua, the developments present an early test of DCP’s strength in a county where established political figures such as Munya and Linturi command significant networks.
