Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Kawanjiku addressing journalists on Monday evening at parliamentKawanjiku has told off Gachagua for branding him to be among weak or inferior politicians.
Last weekend, Gachagua, who is also the leader of DP, lamented that Mt Kenya region has elected weak MPs as opposed to the Nyanza region, which picks intellectual to parliament. He particularly mentioned Kawanjikus and Wamakekis as an example.
On Monday evening, the Kiambaa MP accused Gachagua of resorting to coercion and intimidation in a bid to attract a following in the Mt. Kenya region, saying he will not be blackmailed to support the DCP leader.
He accused the former DP of running a sustained campaign of intimidation against elected leaders who refuse to rally behind him.
“I’m not going to sit down and wait to be intimidated or coerced in any way to follow him,” he told journalists at the Parliament Buildings, adding that Gachagua has repeatedly warned him of “consequences” for political disloyalty.
The second-term MP accused Gachagua of demanding total allegiance and punishing independent political choices, recalling how he was once reprimanded when he hosted Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro in Kiambaa constituency for a funds drive.
“He made it his business and chased me away from his office in 2023,” Kawanjiku said, adding that there were other leaders who witnessed the episode at the then DP’s office.
The UDA MP said Gachagua should be the last person to talk about quality of leadership arguing that he has no known legislative record in his five years as Mathira MP.
“When you talk about quality of leadership, what standard have you set yourself? You never raised any statement, you never asked any question, you never contributed to any bill (in Parliament),” he argued.
Speaking at the Ngemi ya Watho festival hosted by the legal fraternity from the GEMA region in Thika, Gachagua lamented that leadership in the Mt Kenya region lacked equally strong and skilled political “foot soldiers.”
The ex-DP expressed admiration for the leadership of the late Raila Odinga, commending his political strategy and the enduring strength of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
“My people, your leader is in trouble—he has no foot soldiers. You have given him 'weak' leaders, yet you sit here as great minds, and you can see the lawyers who have stood with Raila,” he said.
Gachagua urged intellectuals and professionals to take an active role in politics rather than shying away from it, arguing that their participation was vital in shaping a more accountable and visionary leadership.
“You are so educated and learned; you must offer yourselves to lead our people, defend them, and make good laws,” he said
However, Kawanjiku has defended his legitimacy as Kiambaa’s representative, saying the people elected him consciously, not out of ignorance or manipulation.
“The people of Kiambaa elected me knowingly not because we are handsome but to deliver,” he said, urging Gachagua to respect voters’ choices.
Kawanjiku asserted that his loyalty lies with President William Ruto and his development agenda, not personal political fiefdoms, saying only voters and God can decide his future.
“My destiny is not in your hands. If you feel you have a better candidate, bring them. The people will decide,” he declared
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