Speaking during the burial of the first Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the outspoken leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) accused the President and his allies of trying to drive a wedge between him and Kenyatta.
“You cannot come between me and my brother Uhuru Kenyatta; you are not one of us,” Gachagua said.
He insisted that the bond between him and the retired president remains strong despite their political differences in the past.
Gachagua said he worked closely with Kenyatta for many years, including serving as his personal assistant, and that their relationship spans more than two decades.
Although the two later found themselves on opposing sides during the run-up to the 2022 General Election, Gachagua said their relationship remains intact.
According to him, the rift that developed between them was largely caused by President Ruto.
He argued that a disagreement lasting three years could not erase the 20-year bond he built while working alongside Kenyatta.
Gachagua also criticised Ruto, saying the President does not fully understand the politics of the Mt Kenya region.
He said that receiving votes from the region does not automatically mean one understands its complex political dynamics.
According to Gachagua, only leaders from the region can fully grasp the issues affecting the Mt Kenya community.
The remarks came shortly after Gachagua and Kenyatta were seen sharing light moments during the funeral of the late Senator Karaba.
The two leaders, who were bitter political rivals during the 2022 elections, appeared relaxed and cordial, fueling speculation about a growing reconciliation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa noted that it was the first time he had seen the two leaders together after their political fallout.
In a recent interview, Gachagua dismissed suggestions that he needed to reconcile with Kenyatta, saying the former president is like a brother to him.
“There is no need for a handshake. Uhuru is like a brother to me. We are children of the same house,” he said.
The apparent thaw in relations has also been reflected among allies of the former president.
Jeremiah Kioni, the deputy party leader of the Jubilee Party, recently visited Gachagua at his Karen residence.
Kioni praised Gachagua as the undisputed king of the mountain, saying his influence in the region has grown significantly since leaving government.
Former Gatanga MP David Murathe has also expressed confidence in Gachagua, describing him as a strong candidate capable of challenging President Ruto in 2027.
Kenyatta himself has reportedly cautioned members of his political camp against attacking Gachagua, warning that such actions could attract disciplinary action.
Political analyst Peter Kagwanja has described the renewed closeness between Gachagua and Kenyatta as potentially significant in shaping political alignments in the Mt Kenya region.
Kagwanja described Kenyatta as the Muthamaki—a symbolic king or leader—while Gachagua serves as the Mutongoria, the figure responsible for managing the day-to-day political affairs of the community.
The evolving relationship between the two leaders could play a crucial role in determining the region’s political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
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