Gachagua Pushes For Mt Kenya To Be In Govt For 100 Years

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly advocated for unity among the GEMA communities—comprising the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba—emphasizing that their political cohesion is key to maintaining government influence for the next 100 years.

Speaking at a church service at the Gospel Confirmation Centre (GCC) in Machakos Town on Sunday, March 2, Gachagua encouraged the Mt. Kenya region to strengthen its voting bloc to secure power in the 2027 elections and beyond. This, he said, would open up development opportunities, particularly in the Ukambani region.

"Let us unite and become friends. On top of voting together, let us do business together, marry each other, and give birth to children. This mountain must be one. 

"I want to assure you, the people of Ukambani, if we unite as Mt Kenya, as GEMA, for the next 100 years, we shall be in government at every election so that we form a government and handle matters of Ukambani," he declared.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing residents of Machakos Town on March 2, 2025. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

According to the impeached second-in-command, the Ukambani region's biggest issue was water, which he promised that the next government would tackle as a priority upon ascending to power. 

This would be followed by land issues, to which he argued that the residents deserve easier access to title deeds for purposes of loans to grow their businesses, including in the agriculture sector.

"There's only one thing we need to do in Ukambani. The first priority is water. Second, water. Third, water. Is there any other thing? Then we will deal with pieces of land, land adjudication...people should get title deeds so that they can take loans from the bank so that the ndengu that the President is criticising, we look for a market and give it dignity," he continued.

Gachagua called for the Mt Kenya region to unite as one, adding that once done, the region would seek out other regions across the country, including in Maasailand, to ensure a round-one victory in the 2027 polls.

In the same address, he highlighted the significance of his political alliance with Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, stating that their unity would be essential in challenging President William Ruto's administration.

He praised the former Vice President as an experienced politician and legal expert while positioning himself as the only leader with deep insight into President Ruto’s strategies.

“My partnership with Kalonzo cannot be broken. If we separate, we are finished. Kalonzo is a lawyer with vast experience, and I am the one who understands Ruto better than anyone," he added.

In a notable change from his past alliances, Gachagua reached out to the Akamba community, recognizing them as long-standing partners of the Mt. Kenya region.

He accused Ruto of marginalizing both him and the Mt. Kenya bloc after winning the presidency, cautioning that the support he once enjoyed from the region had now shifted against him. “You, the Akamba people, are our cousins,” Gachagua told the congregation.

Adding, “We in Mt. Kenya supported William Ruto, but he has cast us aside. You, on the other hand, backed Raila Odinga. The real solution for Kenya lies in a GEMA-Akamba alliance. And I want to assure the Akamba people that this time, we will form the government together—there will be no turning back.”