NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki have traded barbs over the political unity of Mt Kenya, with the two leaders offering sharply contrasting views on whether the region should remain united or develop separate eastern and western political identities.
Gachagua, speaking during a tour of Kiambu County, accused Kindiki of allowing himself to be used in efforts to divide Mt Kenya and warned that such divisions could weaken the region’s political bargaining power.
“You cannot be my brother when you are dividing the mountain. You cannot be my brother when you are joining others to send poisonous alcohol to kill my people. If you want to be my brother, stop dividing the mountain and stop hurting Kikuyu people with illicit alcohol,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President’s remarks came days after Kindiki visited Murang’a County, where he called for unity among communities in the Mt Kenya region. Kindiki later posted a cryptic message on Facebook saying: “The fathers of the land, the landlords, have spoken. East first, West next, then Kenya will speak.”
Gachagua interpreted the developments as evidence of an attempt to weaken the region’s political cohesion, arguing that dividing Mt Kenya would be difficult and detrimental to its interests.
He also criticised the government over the spread of illicit alcohol in parts of Central Kenya, accusing authorities of failing to protect young people from what he described as poisonous brews.
Gachagua claimed families in the region were losing young people to illicit alcohol and linked the problem to failures by the government to address the crisis.
Kindiki hits back
Kindiki responded through social media, dismissing Gachagua’s criticism and questioning his record in public service and leadership.
“Talking about my voice is the only contribution your emptiness and incompetence can make in matters of politics, policy and leadership,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President also rejected Gachagua’s portrayal of their respective roles while serving in government, saying his focus as Interior Cabinet Secretary had been on security rather than political mobilisation.
“I was focused on protecting Kenya from bandits, terrorists and criminals as you were building hotels, acquiring land and inciting people against the same government that you were serving as Deputy President,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki accused Gachagua of seeking to undermine the Kenya Kwanza administration after his fallout with President William Ruto.
He said he had advised the former Deputy President to repair his relationship with Ruto and other government leaders but that the advice was ignored.
Kindiki maintained that he chose to remain within the government and pursue the development priorities that had motivated their 2022 campaign, including roads, markets, electricity and better returns for coffee and dairy farmers.
Battle over Mt Kenya’s political future
The exchange comes amid growing debate over the political identity and future of Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The emerging debate centres on Mt Kenya East, comprising Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi, and Mt Kenya West, which includes Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga.
Some leaders from the eastern bloc have increasingly advocated for a separate political arrangement, arguing that western parts of the region have historically dominated political leadership while the East has provided substantial electoral support without securing a proportional share of power.
Gachagua and his allies have opposed the idea, maintaining that dividing the region would diminish its collective influence and bargaining power.
Kindiki, who comes from Tharaka Nithi, has consequently found himself at the centre of the debate despite publicly calling for unity among Mt Kenya communities.
Gachagua, meanwhile, has intensified his political mobilisation through the Democracy for Citizens Party as opposition leaders seek to expand their support base in Central Kenya and attract figures from the Kenya Kwanza camp.
