Ngunjiri Wambugu has now openly broken ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of trying to establish a one-party dictatorship in the Mount Kenya region. This move marks a return to his roots in the Jubilee Party, under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and comes at a time when Mount Kenya politics is going through serious changes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wambugu’s accusations suggest that Gachagua is trying to dominate the political space in the region by silencing other voices and promoting a new regional party to replace all others.
This has raised concerns about democratic space in one of the most politically influential regions in Kenya.
Wambugu, who served as Nyeri Town MP between 2017 and 2022, was known for his loyalty to Uhuru Kenyatta and strong opposition to William Ruto.
After losing his seat in the 2022 elections, he became a political advisor to Gachagua in 2024, during the final stretch of Gachagua’s time in office before his impeachment.
The relationship between the two seemed solid at first, but it has now taken a sharp turn.
Wambugu accused Gachagua of trying to eliminate political competition in the region and force everyone to follow one political path. This accusation was made public through a post by blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, who shared a photo of Wambugu and Gachagua at a past event and quoted Wambugu’s statement against the former Deputy President.
Since Gachagua was impeached in October 2024, he has been working hard to stay relevant in Mount Kenya by proposing the creation of a new political party focused on the region.
His aim seems to be building a political vehicle that he can use to influence the 2027 elections, especially if he is no longer part of Ruto’s government.
However, Wambugu believes this approach will kill multi-party democracy in the region and give Gachagua too much control. He now supports Jubilee’s reorganization under Uhuru Kenyatta, pushing for a system where different voices and parties can compete fairly.
This public fallout could signal deeper political changes in Mount Kenya. For years, the region has played a key role in deciding national leadership due to its large number of voters. If leaders like Wambugu and Gachagua continue to pull in different directions, it could divide the region’s vote and reduce its bargaining power in national politics.
Some observers believe Wambugu’s return to Jubilee could revive the party’s chances in the region, especially with Kenyatta’s influence still felt in many counties.
Others feel that Gachagua’s attempt to consolidate power could backfire and make him appear dictatorial.The upcoming elections in 2027 will likely expose more cracks or shifts in the alliances in Mount Kenya.
Wambugu’s decision to speak out may encourage others in the region to choose sides or call for more openness in political decision-making.
This rift between two former allies has already set the stage for an intense political battle, with Wambugu standing for democratic competition and Gachagua trying to secure his influence through a single political path.
Whether this move will help or harm either of them remains a point of discussions, but the effects on Mount Kenya’s politics are already being felt.
