Mount Kenya Leaders Clash as Gachagua Accuses Ichung’wah and Kiunjuri of Betrayal

A deepening political schism has erupted within Mount Kenya region.

The rift is triggered by accusations from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri are undermining the region’s interests by aligning with President William Ruto. The dispute follows recent deadly protests and underscores escalating factionalism ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Mr Gachagua, while addressing Kenyans during a tour of the United States, alleged that Mr Ichung’wah and Mr Kiunjuri betrayed the Mount Kenya community by supporting government actions that resulted in a violent crackdown on demonstrators. The protests, which saw 38 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, have intensified scrutiny of the government’s response and fuelled political tensions nationwide. In a swift rebuttal, Mr Ichung’wah dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, stating that Mr Gachagua's own conduct precipitated his downfall. 

"His political downfall was not engineered by anybody else," he asserted, attributing the former deputy president’s challenges to his divisive rhetoric and confrontational style. 

Mr Kiunjuri echoed this sentiment, accusing Mr Gachagua of fostering a toxic political climate lacking constructive policy engagement. The exchange marks a significant escalation in intra-regional tensions, with Mr Gachagua positioning himself as a defender of Mount Kenya interests while casting his rivals as agents of repression. 

"My greatest pain is the collaborators, our own leaders, who speak as we do but are working with him [President Ruto] to destroy the community," he told his audience in the US. 

Critics contend that such claims lack substantive evidence and serve primarily to galvanise support through emotional appeals. Mr Kiunjuri has warned that Mr Gachagua’s political strategy risks veering into dangerous territory, accusing the former deputy president of inciting hostility and criminalising dissent. He has cited past incidents where musicians were allegedly harassed for attending events hosted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. 

“He must separate political differences from hate, incitement, and threats,” Mr Kiunjuri urged, calling for a more principled approach to leadership.

The timing of these confrontations is politically significant. With the 2027 elections looming, the Mount Kenya region is poised to play a crucial role in shaping national outcomes.