By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 18 June 2026 - A fierce political battle for the vote-rich Mt Kenya region has erupted roughly an year before the 2027 General Election, with allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accusing Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku of attempting to split the region for political gain.
The row was sparked by remarks attributed to Ruku in which he reportedly called for a political realignment between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, arguing that communities in Embu and Meru counties had been sidelined in the region's leadership structure.
His comments have triggered sharp criticism from leaders allied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), who claim the proposal is part of a wider effort to weaken Mt Kenya's political unity at a time when the region is emerging as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds ahead of the next election.
Speaking in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, DCP Executive Director Hezron Obaga accused the Cabinet Secretary of advancing politics of division instead of addressing issues affecting ordinary wananchi.
"It is unfortunate that a Cabinet Secretary entrusted with serving all Kenyans can engage in statements that appear to divide communities that have coexisted peacefully for decades," said Obaga.
He claimed the remarks were aimed at creating cracks within the mountain as competing political camps position themselves to influence the region's voting patterns in 2027.
"The people of Mt Kenya are united by history, culture and shared interests. Any attempt to divide them for political gain will be rejected by the electorate," he said.
The confrontation comes amid an intensifying struggle for supremacy in Mt Kenya, a region that delivered millions of votes in the last General Election and is expected to remain central to the country's political arithmetic in 2027.
Since his fallout with President William Ruto's administration, Gachagua has embarked on an aggressive campaign to consolidate support across the region, portraying himself as the defender of Mt Kenya's political and economic interests.
At the same time, leaders allied to President Ruto have stepped up engagements in the region in an effort to retain support and counter Gachagua's growing influence.
Political observers say the emerging contest is increasingly revolving around who speaks for Mt Kenya and whether the region will vote as a bloc or fragment into competing political interests.
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Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici warned against attempts to draw divisions between communities that have lived together for generations.
"No leader should use their position to sow seeds of division among communities. Our responsibility is to unite Kenyans and focus on development issues that affect ordinary citizens," she said.
Ngirici dismissed suggestions that counties in Mt Kenya East should pursue a separate political path, insisting that the region's communities share deep historical, social and economic ties.
"No one can divide the mountain. We have lived together, worked together and will continue standing together as one people," she said.
She challenged political leaders to avoid exploiting ethnic and regional differences in pursuit of electoral advantage, saying unity remained the region's greatest political strength.
The latest exchange underscores the high stakes surrounding Mt Kenya's political future, with both government and opposition-linked leaders seeking to shape the narrative ahead of the 2027 General Election.
As campaigns begin to take shape, the contest for the loyalty of voters in Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Laikipia and Tharaka Nithi is expected to define not only the region's politics but also the national race for power.
Meanwhile, Obaga dismissed claims that DCP has already settled on candidates for various seats, assuring aspirants that the party would conduct free, fair and transparent nominations.
His remarks appeared aimed at calming growing interest within the party as political realignments gather pace and the race for elective positions begins in earnest.