Gachagua: The new political fulcrum of opposition

Since leaving for the US in July, Gachagua managed to sustain political relevance and media attention throughout his stay abroad.

His remarks, often laced with sharp criticism of the government, kept officials in Nairobi on edge, at one point even triggering threats of arrest.

Even while away, the former DP maintained direct contact with supporters, frequently phoning in to political events back home.

Meanwhile, his DCP lieutenants and opposition allies kept up a busy schedule of meetings across the Mt Kenya region, often clashing with security forces.

His arrival on Thursday, ostensibly to spearhead campaigns for upcoming by-elections, was designed to keep opposition momentum alive, just as it appeared to be waning in his absence.

His triumphant procession from JKIA paralysed Mombasa Road in scenes reminiscent of Raila Odinga’s iconic “Baba While You Were Away” homecoming.

Since his impeachment in October, Gachagua has reinvented himself as a formidable opposition leader, turning his fire on former ally President William Ruto and his administration.

He is backed by the restless Mt Kenya vote bloc, which has an estimated at 4.8 million voters, with 1.3 million from Mt Kenya East and 3.4 million from Mt Kenya West.

Gachagua has positioned himself as the fulcrum of a resurgent opposition, leading the “one-term” battle cry against Ruto.

Political analyst Martin Andati describes Gachagua as “the glue that holds the opposition together”.“He is the one who reached out to Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka, brought in Eugene Wamalwa and [Justin] Muturi, and even engaged Matiang’i. He has energised the opposition and would not want any cracks,” he told the Star.

In just a few months, the former one-term Mathira MP on his first attempt has eclipsed veteran opposition figures such as Wiper’s Kalonzo, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa and Narc-Kenya’s Karua.

He has founded a new party, built its profile across Mt Kenya and is preparing to field candidates in upcoming by-elections in Malava, Banisa and Mbeere North.

Communist Party Marxist-Kenya general secretary Booker Omole says the DCP is riding high on the narrative that Mt Kenya is “under attack”.

“The few people like [Kimani] Ichung’wah still clinging to President Ruto will not survive the next elections because of the tribal nature of our politics,” he said.

He added that while Gachagua may be a kingmaker and disrupter, he won’t be able to sustain his politics using the tribal card.

Reacting to Gachagua’s arrival, political blogger Pauline Njoroge said she had never imagined that the former DP would be “way more powerful and influential as an ordinary civilian and an opposition leader than he was as Deputy President”.

“Many imagined that he would fade away within a couple of weeks after impeachment,” she said in a social media post.

“The government has heavily deployed both police officers and goons to contain his reception as he arrives from the US.