Gachagua vs Nyoro: Political Rivalry Heats Up as Ruto Fuels Tensions in Murang’a
The ongoing political rivalry between Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro became evident as both accompanied President William Ruto during his visit to Murang’a County on Friday, August 9.
Supporters of Mr. Nyoro, led by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, have since called for the President to drop Mr. Gachagua in favor of Mr. Nyoro for the 2027 re-election bid.
The President appeared to exacerbate the tension between the two factions by breaking protocol at one point and inviting Mr. Nyoro to speak after Mr. Gachagua.
At the Kambirwa market, where the President inaugurated a Sh50 million economic stimulus program, he first invited Mr. Gachagua to speak, followed by Mr. Nyoro.
Mr. Gachagua repeated his controversial call for unity within Mt Kenya, emphasizing the need for regional solidarity.
“I will never tire of reminding you that you have no choice but to unite as a region. Don’t fight your brother. Never embrace your brother with a knife in his back. Never be jealous of your sister when she gets married to a rich suitor… he could be the one to help you,” Mr. Gachagua said.
At each stop, he asked the audience if they had watched his recent interview on local media, where he accused men close to the President of persecuting him.
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He also mentioned, “young ambitious politicians in the Mt Kenya region plotting for 2027 and 2032.”
In the interview, Mr. Gachagua expressed his frustration that despite bringing his grievances to the President, he had yet to receive any relief.
The President seemed keenly interested in observing how the two leaders were being received by the public during their competition in the Mt Kenya region.
Both Mr. Gachagua and Mr. Nyoro have accompanied the President on his three-day visit to the region, which included stops in Embu County on Wednesday, August 7, Murang’a on Friday, August 9, and Kirinyaga today, August 10.
The two have emerged as the main power players in Mount Kenya, with crowds vying to show their support whenever either was given the microphone.
Mr. Nyoro’s supporters made a bold move at Kahuro market, presenting the President with a prized he-goat “to make soup.”
In Kambirwa, Mr. Nyoro took a veiled jab at unnamed senior leaders who he accused of undermining and fighting others.
“I have made a personal vow that even if he pokes my eye, I will remain peaceful and apologize for putting my eye in his way. If he hits my face, I will stay calm and apologize for putting my face in his way…but in all these, it should never be construed that I am a coward,” he said.
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In what appeared to be a reference to Mr. Gachagua’s frequent media appearances and public statements, Mr. Nyoro criticized national leaders who he claimed were more interested in making political noise than achieving tangible results.
“At the end of the day, what will matter is not the noise you made, but the transformative agenda you executed. It will be about the development projects implemented, the quality of life improved, the reprieves you secured for the people…and that is what the President desires from us,” he said.
Observant onlookers noticed that most Murang’a leaders avoided praising Mr. Gachagua, highlighting the growing animosity among them.
Just a week ago, Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo criticized Mr. Gachagua for talking too much instead of focusing on the tasks assigned to him by the President, such as assisting coffee, tea, and dairy farmers and combating alcoholism.
“That is the job he was given. He has yet to accomplish it. In my opinion, he has work to do but it remains unfinished…he should not be concerned about 2027 or 2032,” he said.
During the President’s tour of Murang’a, Woman Representative Betty Maina seemed particularly eager to heighten the tensions between Mr. Gachagua and Mr. Nyoro.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for giving us Mr. Nyoro. We love him so much, and he is doing well in uniting us. Here in Murang’a, we are fully behind you in word and deed, without any doublespeak,” she repeatedly stated at more than eight stops made by the President.
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She added, “We are not like those who publicly support you in rallies but secretly do other things…you are in our souls and on our lips…we will stand by you until 2032.”
At no point did Ms. Maina acknowledge Mr. Gachagua’s presence, making it clear that she viewed the President and Mr. Nyoro as the event’s key figures.
She praised Mr. Nyoro for his role as Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly, noting that he had helped secure budget allocations for her constituents.
Ignoring Mr. Gachagua, the Maragua MP said, “Mr. Nyoro has proven to be a focused leader who even funds his secondary school pupils to have chapati as their school meal.”
The only senior elected leader in Murang’a who has maintained a close relationship with the Deputy President is Deputy Governor Stephen Munania, who recently declared his unwavering support for the embattled deputy.
Speaking in Gatanga Constituency, Mr. Munania affirmed that “Murang’a County is firmly behind you (Gachagua) as our team leader, especially the youths who follow me.”
He added, “Let it be known to all that you (Gachagua) are our wall and our strength. The foxes won’t be able to bring you down. As our cornerstone, whoever tries to challenge you in Murang’a will face me and my youths directly.”
Gachagua vs Nyoro: Political Rivalry Heats Up as Ruto Fuels Tensions in Murang’a
