Gachagua Announces 'Sauti Ya Mwananchi' As He Steps Up War On Ruto
The impeached second-in-command expressed confidence that the road ahead was looking promising, having listened to the leaders
Marvin Chege 
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, January 10 unveiled his new political outfit, honouring his promise to Kenyans in December 2024 that he would make a significant political announcement in January 2025.
This formation, according to Gachagua, will be called ‘Sauti Ya Mwananchi', which finally calms the nerves his supporters have been having regarding the big announcement with a hint of forming a new political party.
Gachagua spent Friday with what he termed as "Kenya’s Pre-Eminent Team" consisting of elected leaders in extensive consultations and exchange of ideas and views, at his Wamunyoro Residence in Nyeri County.
"This team - popularly referred to as ‘Sauti Ya Mwananchi’ and currently the only existing political voice speaking on behalf of the people in Kenya today - and made up of elected Governors, Senators, MPs & MCAs, as well as several other leaders, shared their views and ideas on what they see as the way forward for 2025," he stated on his social media pages.
The impeached second-in-command expressed confidence that the road ahead was looking promising, having listened to the leaders and "from the various other consultations we have had so far".
Rigathi Gachagua meeting elected leaders in extensive consultations and exchange of ideas and views, at his Wamunyoro Residence in Nyeri County on January 11, 2025. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA
Leaders present at the meeting were Senator Methu, Kirinyaga Women Rep Njeri Maina, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, MPs Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Mary Wamau (Maragua), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), and Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri).
The others include former Laikipia County Women Representative Cate Waruguru. Gachagua has been working smart in terms of forming fresh political alliances, including approaching the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
On November 24, 2024, while speaking during a church service at AIPCA Kangari in Murang'a County, Gachagua revealed that his fallout with President William Ruto had allowed him to take a back seat and chart his next political move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former second in command attributed this to realising Ruto's true colours when he purportedly allowed Members of Parliament and the Senate to push forward with his impeachment which was completed at breakneck speed in October.
"We as the Mt. Kenya people hate two things; lies and betrayal. This coming January after the talks we will announce the next direction. Never again shall we find ourselves in the hole we are in," said Gachagua.
"President Ruto, my friend, did a good thing to bring this fight against me and the people of the mountain because now we know him. Now we understand you (Ruto) and we will address you as we know you and who you are. Now we will have talks with respect."
Insiders believe that the impeached DP will be joining forces with some opposition leaders such as former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa among others.
Gachagua on December 18, 2024, did reveal that he would team up with Kalonzo, stating that he owed the former Vice President a favour for standing with him since the regime of the late Mwai Kibaki. He is yet to declare who he will back in the 2027 polls. This is because, as things stand, he cannot contest for the presidency following his impeachment.
However, the outcome of his petitions filed in court could determine whether or not he is on the ballot in 2027, pitting him against his former boss in an event many by now have witnessed before in the previous regime.
The new political formation, many of whom are elected leaders through President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), will be tasked with poking holes in the government’s agenda. It remains unclear whether this team will make use of Ruto’s tactics after the 2017 polls, which saw him clinch the State House.
Ruto on his part has moved with speed to halt Gachagua from taking full control of the Mt Kenya region, a region so rich in votes that it has become the main determinant in the outcome of Kenyan presidential elections, including in 2022.
He began by turning to Kithure Kindiki to fill the position of Deputy President, a post many believed he ought to have filled in the run up to the 2022 polls before Gachagua emerged as an eventual running mate. Additionally, Ruto has organised meetings with various stakeholders to address key issues in the region, and rolling out plans for the economic revitalisation of the region.
The Head of State has also dipped his hands in the throwback cookie jar by closing ranks with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, a move that has seen him nominate his allies to the Cabinet.
There is then the surprising bit of Ruto receiving backing from former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga, who earlier this month called on residents of the Mt. Kenya region to support President Ruto and other elected leaders in grassroots development efforts.
