Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a pointed critique against leaders from his Mt Kenya region who backed his impeachment in Parliament, urging residents to reject them in future elections.

Mr Gachagua’s first whip landed on leaders from his home County, Nyeri, where he implored on residents to support leaders who stood by him and reject those who backed his ouster from the second-in-command position.

He lauded Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu for their loyalty while urging voters to sideline others he deemed traitorous.

“In Nyeri, we fully support Governor Kahiga, Mukurwe-ini MP Kaguchia, and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu. The rest betrayed us. When the time comes, you will deal with them as you always do. Scout for strong defenders of our community,” the former DP said.

Gachagua said that the vote-rich region must reorganize itself politically ahead of the 2027 General Elections, including forming its own political party.

“I am consulting with leaders, including the clergy, to establish the right course for our community. We must reorganize ourselves and ensure we never find ourselves in the current situation again. Never again will we attend a wedding in someone else’s vehicle,” he added.

The impeachment has stirred divisions among Nyeri lawmakers and residents.

Prior to voting of Gachagua’s impeachment at the National Assembly, MPs Rahab Mukami (Woman Representative), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) and John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini) and Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni) had announced to residents that they would oppose the motion.

On the other hand, those who steadily backed the motion included MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Maina Mathenge (Nyeri Town) and Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya). Senator Wahome Wamatinga endorsed it at the Senate.

This division has sparked public outrage, with the majority of residents claiming that their MPs contributed to Gachagua’s ouster. Majority of the lawmakers have been avoiding public appearances due to fear of being heckled by residents.

Recently, Mathenge received a cold reception in Nyeri town where he was addressing matatu operators and traders.

The Nyeri Town MP, who is a key ally to President Ruto, made his address amid persistent heckling from the crowd.

A section of irate residents from Mathira constituency, where Gachagua comes from, recently launched an initiative of collecting signatures to oust their MP – Wamumbi.

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula noted that Tetu MP Wandeto had attempted to withdraw his signature supporting the impeachment but was denied. 

“Once you sign a special motion, you cannot withdraw it,” Speaker Wetang'ula clarified.

Mr Gachagua’s comments coincide with accusations of political intimidation against his allies.

On Wednesday, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa alongside other leaders, appeared at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Central Region headquarters in Nyeri over chaos at a funeral in Bibirioni, Limuru, on November 28, 2024.

Senator Thang’wa described the DCI summons as part of a government strategy to silence leaders allied to Mr Gachagua.

“We are victims of the events in Limuru and we feel that this is part of the intimidation from the State. We will not be intimidated or stopped from fighting for our people. We do not understand why they summoned us here in Nyeri yet the incident occurred in Kiambu,” said Mr Thang’wa.

“We are not going to be cowed and stopped from fighting for our people. Whether they send us to the DCI a hundred times, we will comply,” he added.

Former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, who accompanied Thang’wa, claimed he was also targeted during the investigations.

“I came to support Senator Thang’wa but was instructed to record a statement and labeled as a perpetrator. This is unjust,” Mr Mwathi said, alleging he had been abducted and later abandoned on the Southern Bypass during the chaos.

Their lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, accused the DCI of overreach and political witch-hunting.

“The DCI is on a fishing expedition. Anyone who criticizes the President becomes a target,” said Mr Njiru.

Both Mr Thang’wa and Mr Mwathi are expected to appear at DCI headquarters in Nairobi for further questioning.

As ex-DP Gachagua consolidates his support and strategises for 2027, the political realignments and tensions in Mt Kenya region remain a key focus.

The region’s leaders face increasing scrutiny from their constituents, while accusations of betrayal and intimidation highlight the fraught political landscape.