Key allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua convened at AIC Subukia Town in Nakuru County in a strategic show of unity as political rifts within the ruling coalition continue to widen.
Allies of former Kenyan DP Rigathi Gachagua convened at the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Subukia town, Nakuru County, for a significant gathering that underscored their ongoing efforts to consolidate political support in the face of mounting challenges. The event, a church service attended by key figures from Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and other opposition leaders, served as a platform to rally support, address regional grievances, and strategize for the 2027 General Election.
Against the backdrop of Gachagua’s recent U.S. tour and escalating tensions with President William Ruto’s administration, the Subukia gathering highlighted the former deputy president’s determination to maintain his influence in the Mount Kenya region and beyond.
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The AIC Subukia town event came at a critical juncture for Gachagua, who has been navigating a turbulent political landscape since his impeachment in October 2024. Accused of abuse of office and gross misconduct, Gachagua has rebranded himself as a leading opposition figure, founding the DCP and intensifying his criticism of President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government. His recent U.S. tour, which included engagements in Boston and Seattle, aimed to harness the Kenyan diaspora’s economic and political influence, particularly from the Mount Kenya community, which he claims constitutes 80% of Kenyans in the U.S.
Nakuru County, a cosmopolitan region with a significant Mount Kenya population, has emerged as a battleground for political influence. The county’s strategic importance lies in its diverse electorate and its role as a bellwether for national politics. Gachagua’s allies, facing hostility from Ruto’s loyalists and a government crackdown following the June 25, 2025, protests, chose Subukia—a town known for its vibrant AIC community—for this high-profile gathering. The church service provided a neutral yet symbolically significant venue to project unity and resilience amid accusations of state-sponsored intimidation.
The Subukia event was attended by prominent Gachagua allies, including former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, and former National Hospital Insurance Fund CEO Geoffrey Mwangi, who has declared his candidacy for Nakuru governor in 2027 on a DCP ticket. Other attendees included local MCAs, opinion leaders, and representatives from the Mount Kenya region, as well as opposition figures such as DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua. Their presence underscored the broad coalition Gachagua is building to challenge Ruto’s dominance.
Kimani Ngunjiri, a vocal Gachagua supporter, played a central role in organizing the event. Having previously represented Gachagua at a funeral and church service in Nakuru after the former deputy president canceled appearances due to security concerns, Ngunjiri emphasized the need for peace and unity. He referenced the violent attack on Gachagua in Limuru, Kiambu County, on July 10, 2025, where goons allegedly hired by political opponents disrupted a funeral, highlighting the risks faced by Gachagua’s allies. “Nakuru is a cosmopolitan area, and any disturbance could have a spillover effect. We are for peace, but this should not be mistaken for cowardice,” Ngunjiri stated, echoing sentiments from the Subukia gathering.
Gathoni Wamuchomba, a fierce critic of Ruto’s administration, used the platform to reiterate her commitment to Gachagua’s Skiza Wakenya (Listen to Kenyans) movement. Known for her outspoken defense of Gachagua during his impeachment, Wamuchomba has faced hostility in Parliament, including interruptions and jeering from Ruto’s allies. Her presence in Subukia reinforced her role as a key mobilizer in the Mount Kenya region, where she has urged residents to remain united against perceived betrayals by Ruto’s loyalists.
Geoffrey Mwangi’s attendance was particularly significant, given his recent interrogation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over alleged involvement in the June 25 protests, which resulted in the death of a student in Molo, Nakuru County. Mwangi, who denied sponsoring the protests, used the Subukia event to rally support for his gubernatorial bid, positioning himself as a champion of the youth and an alternative to Governor Susan Kihika, a Ruto ally. His lawyer, Stanley Karanja, accompanied him, signaling the legal challenges facing Gachagua’s camp.
The church service at AIC Subukia was more than a religious gathering; it was a strategic platform to articulate Gachagua’s vision for Kenya’s future. Speakers emphasized three key themes: unity, economic empowerment, and political resistance. Gachagua, though not physically present due to his U.S. engagements, sent a message through Ngunjiri, urging the Mount Kenya community to “remain united like cement” and record those who have “betrayed” the region by supporting Ruto. This rhetoric aligns with Gachagua’s broader strategy of portraying Ruto’s administration as hostile to Mount Kenya’s interests, a narrative he amplified during his Boston visit.
The gathering also addressed the economic challenges facing Kenya, including rising public debt and the controversial Social Health Authority rollout, which Governor Kihika has defended but critics, including Mwangi, argue is flawed. Gachagua’s allies highlighted the diaspora’s role in economic stabilization, noting that remittances, which reached $4.94 billion in 2024, are Kenya’s largest source of foreign exchange. They called for increased diaspora investment in Nakuru’s agricultural and real estate sectors to boost local development.
Politically, the event served as a show of strength for the DCP and its allies. With Gachagua announcing plans to launch a Mount Kenya-based political party in May 2025, the Subukia gathering was a step toward mobilizing grassroots support. Martha Karua, a key ally, emphasized the need for a broad opposition coalition, stating, “We are uniting with leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa to ensure Ruto serves only one term.” This message resonated with attendees, who see Gachagua as a victim of political betrayal by Ruto’s inner circle, including National Assembly多数领袖Kimani Ichung’wah and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The Subukia event occurred amid significant challenges for Gachagua’s camp. The DCI’s crackdown on his allies, including Mwangi and Assumpta Wangui, reflects the government’s efforts to suppress opposition voices. The June 25 protests, which Gachagua has denied funding, have been used to target his supporters, with allegations of sponsoring violence. In Nyeri, Karatina MCA Watson Weru was questioned for distributing vuvuzelas during protests, a charge his lawyer dismissed as “petty.” These actions suggest a concerted effort to intimidate Gachagua’s base, particularly in Nakuru, where Ruto’s allies, led by Kihika, hold significant sway.
Gachagua’s focus on Mount Kenya has also sparked accusations of tribalism. Critics, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, have accused him of divisive rhetoric, a charge he countered in Boston by emphasizing cross-ethnic alliances. The Subukia event sought to address these criticisms by including leaders from other regions, such as Wamalwa, to project a national outlook. However, the absence of key former allies like Ngunjiri Wambugu and Mary wa Maua, who have aligned with Ruto, underscores the defections plaguing Gachagua’s camp.
Security concerns also loomed large. Ngunjiri referenced the Limuru attack, alleging that a Nakuru MP had planned a similar disruption at James Mwaura’s funeral, which Gachagua skipped. The withdrawal of Gachagua’s security detail has heightened fears of vulnerability, with Ngunjiri warning, “If anything happens to Gachagua, the blame will be on Ruto.” These concerns shaped the Subukia event’s tone, with speakers calling for peace while condemning state-sponsored intimidation.
The Subukia gathering is a microcosm of Gachagua’s broader strategy to challenge Ruto in 2027. By rallying allies in Nakuru, a key swing county, he aims to counter Ruto’s influence, particularly through Kindiki, whom Kihika has praised as a “sober” leader capable of uniting Mount Kenya. The event also highlighted the DCP’s growing presence, with Mwangi’s gubernatorial bid signaling an intent to challenge Kihika’s dominance.
However, Gachagua faces significant hurdles. The defections of allies like Wambugu and the hostility of Ruto’s loyalists, including Ichung’wah and Kiunjuri, threaten to fragment Mount Kenya’s vote. Kiunjuri’s planned retreat in Nakuru or Mombasa to counter Gachagua’s influence indicates a parallel effort to consolidate Ruto’s base. Moreover, Gachagua’s legal battles, including a pending court case to clear his eligibility for 2027, add uncertainty to his political future.
The AIC Subukia town gathering on July 20, 2025, was a pivotal moment for Gachagua’s allies, reinforcing their commitment to his vision of a united opposition against Ruto’s administration. By leveraging the church’s platform, they addressed economic, political, and social challenges while projecting resilience in the face of state pressure. The presence of figures like Ngunjiri, Wamuchomba, and Mwangi underscored the DCP’s growing influence, but defections and security concerns highlight the fragility of Gachagua’s coalition.
As Gachagua continues his U.S. tour and plans further engagements in Kenya, the Subukia event signals his determination to remain a formidable force in Kenyan politics. Whether this translates into electoral success in 2027 will depend on his ability to unify Mount Kenya, counter Ruto’s development agenda, and navigate the legal and security challenges facing his allies. For now, the AIC Subukia gathering stands as a testament to the enduring loyalty of Gachagua’s base and their resolve to shape Kenya’s future.
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