On September 18, 2026, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua accused Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku of attempting to divide the Mt Kenya region. Gachagua claimed that the two leaders had abandoned their efforts after residents rejected their attempts to create divisions within the community. He made these allegations in a post on X, stating that Kindiki and Ruku had been assigned by President William Ruto to divide the region.
According to Gachagua, efforts to divide the region had been ongoing for two years and had been funded. He accused Kindiki and Ruku of pursuing a 'failed mission.' Gachagua's allegations come after Kindiki held a meeting with elders from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities at Kirigiti Stadium. During the meeting, Kindiki challenged CS Ruku to return a symbolic axe that he claimed had been presented as a symbol of efforts to divide the Mt Kenya region.
The symbolic axe was returned to the elders by Ruku, who was then handed a flywhisk by one of them. Gachagua interpreted the return of the axe as an admission that efforts to divide the region had failed. He claimed that the elders had been assembled at a cost of Ksh.3,000 each and that the return of the axe was a sign of frustration and inability to divide the community.
Gachagua urged the elders to return the axe to those who had handed it to them, stating that it should ultimately be taken back to President William Ruto. He also warned of new efforts to divide the former Central Province, stating that attempts to divide Mt Kenya into East and West had failed. Gachagua expressed confidence that the people of Mt Kenya would not fall for such attempts, citing their intelligence and shared values.
Gachagua accused the Ruto administration of pursuing a broader strategy to divide the Mt Kenya vote, split Linda Mwananchi, and cause conflict within the United Alternative Government. He claimed that the first attempt to divide Mt Kenya had failed and that the other two attempts would also fail. Gachagua urged his political allies to remain alert against attempts by the government and security agencies to infiltrate and disrupt their political activities.
The allegations made by Gachagua have sparked a heated debate, with many Kenyans taking to social media to express their opinions. While some have supported Gachagua's claims, others have dismissed them as baseless. The Mt Kenya region has been a key battleground in Kenyan politics, with many politicians vying for influence and control.
The developments have also raised questions about the unity of the Mt Kenya region and the impact of political divisions on the community. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the region will be affected by the alleged attempts to divide it. One thing is certain, however: the politics of Mt Kenya will continue to be closely watched in the coming days and weeks.
Key points
- Gachagua accuses DP Kindiki and CS Ruku of attempting to divide the Mt Kenya region.
- The alleged attempts to divide the region had been ongoing for two years and had been funded.
- Gachagua claims that the efforts to divide Mt Kenya had failed and warns of new attempts to divide the former Central Province.
