NAIROBI, Kenya- Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of intimidation and political coercion, alleging sustained pressure to force her to defect from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
In a statement posted on her X account on Monday, January 5, Wamuchomba said Gachagua had repeatedly attempted to coerce her into joining the opposition party, claims she described as part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting Mt Kenya leaders who have declined to defect.
According to the MP, Gachagua is allegedly using close allies to pressure politicians in the Mt Kenya region who remain aligned with the government.
She specifically named Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, accusing them of acting as proxies to intimidate and demean leaders who have refused to join DCP.
“He is using Senator Karungo to demean those not in the ‘Mlima’ party. Karungo is still a UDA senator screaming about another party,” Wamuchomba wrote.
She further questioned the strength of the opposition party, challenging its leaders to first resign from their current positions before seeking fresh mandates under the new political outfit.
“If this party is really strong, why can’t Methu, Karungo and Nyutu resign first, then we elect them through their new masikio party? I’m not joining that party, and I’m in UDA until 2027,” she added.
Past Disputes and Growing Rift
Wamuchomba said the alleged intimidation was not new, claiming she faced similar pressure in 2023 after voting against the Finance Bill. She noted that the latest claims reflect an ongoing effort to silence dissenting voices within the Mt Kenya political bloc.
Once a vocal supporter of Gachagua, the Githunguri MP has in recent months emerged as one of his sharpest critics, accusing him of seeking to monopolise the region’s political direction.
Their fallout became more visible in mid-2025 when Wamuchomba skipped Gachagua’s party launch in May, fueling speculation of a rift.
Since then, the lawmaker has repeatedly urged Gachagua to expand his political outreach beyond Mt Kenya and seek national support across other regions.
