Speaking during a rally in Makueni County on Monday, March 30, Gachagua accused the President of misreading the political mood in the Mt Kenya region.
He claimed leaders allied to Ruto had recently faced rejection from residents during political engagements in the area.
“I hear the President saying I chased him from the mountain. When he went there with those MPs who support him, they were heckled and told to leave,” Gachagua told the crowd.
“I hear the President saying I chased him from the mountain. When he went there with those MPs who support him, they were heckled and told to leave,” Gachagua told the crowd.
“Now he says the situation has become difficult in Mt Kenya and that he will relocate to Mbooni and Makueni to address residents. Address them about what?”
The remarks highlight a growing rift within the ruling coalition that has increasingly spilled into public rallies and political campaigns.
The remarks highlight a growing rift within the ruling coalition that has increasingly spilled into public rallies and political campaigns.
Mt Kenya, long considered a decisive voting bloc in Kenyan elections, is rapidly emerging as a central battleground in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
Political observers say the rivalry between Gachagua and Ruto reflects a broader struggle over control of the Mt Kenya vote, which played a key role in Ruto’s victory during the 2022 Kenyan General Election.
Since leaving office, Gachagua has sought to position himself as a dominant voice in the region, frequently criticizing the government and mobilizing grassroots support across Central Kenya.
During a recent rally in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua challenged the President’s political standing in the region, declaring that Ruto would struggle to secure even a small share of votes there if elections were held today.
“I am telling William Ruto today, while I am here at home in Kirinyaga, if you get even five percent of the votes in Mt Kenya, then I will not call myself Riggy G,” he said.
The political tension comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission prepares a new nationwide voter registration exercise aimed at enrolling millions of new voters before the next election.
Across the country, young Kenyans have launched civic participation campaigns encouraging voter registration through slogans such as “Niko Kadi” and “Tuko Kadi.”
Political observers say the rivalry between Gachagua and Ruto reflects a broader struggle over control of the Mt Kenya vote, which played a key role in Ruto’s victory during the 2022 Kenyan General Election.
Since leaving office, Gachagua has sought to position himself as a dominant voice in the region, frequently criticizing the government and mobilizing grassroots support across Central Kenya.
During a recent rally in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua challenged the President’s political standing in the region, declaring that Ruto would struggle to secure even a small share of votes there if elections were held today.
“I am telling William Ruto today, while I am here at home in Kirinyaga, if you get even five percent of the votes in Mt Kenya, then I will not call myself Riggy G,” he said.
The political tension comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission prepares a new nationwide voter registration exercise aimed at enrolling millions of new voters before the next election.
Across the country, young Kenyans have launched civic participation campaigns encouraging voter registration through slogans such as “Niko Kadi” and “Tuko Kadi.”
The movement aims to mobilize first-time voters and citizens who have not yet registered with the electoral body.
Analysts believe the influx of new voters could reshape political alliances, particularly in competitive regions like Mt Kenya where rival factions are already positioning themselves for influence.
Coffee Sector Accusations
Gachagua also used the rally to accuse the President of mismanaging the coffee sector, claiming the government had failed to protect farmers from cartels within the industry.
According to the former deputy president, the administration had wrongly blamed him for challenges affecting coffee farmers while ignoring systemic problems within the sector.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter rivalry between the two leaders, one that analysts say could significantly influence the political landscape as the country edges closer to the 2027 election cycle.
Analysts believe the influx of new voters could reshape political alliances, particularly in competitive regions like Mt Kenya where rival factions are already positioning themselves for influence.
Coffee Sector Accusations
Gachagua also used the rally to accuse the President of mismanaging the coffee sector, claiming the government had failed to protect farmers from cartels within the industry.
According to the former deputy president, the administration had wrongly blamed him for challenges affecting coffee farmers while ignoring systemic problems within the sector.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter rivalry between the two leaders, one that analysts say could significantly influence the political landscape as the country edges closer to the 2027 election cycle.
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