Kioni signals Uhuru and Gachagua’s new 2027 power strategy against Ruto

The reconciliation between Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua is the latest signal of a coordinated political strategy linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 Kioni, a close ally of Uhuru, has made a surprise U-turn to embrace Gachagua, signalling a thaw in the long-running animosity between the DCP camp and Jubilee over control of the Mt Kenya region.

For months, Gachagua and former Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i were locked in a quiet power tussle, with the DCP brigade insisting they could not back Matiang’i for the opposition presidential ticket.

That hostility now appears to be easing, with the two sides recently holding a series of joint rallies.

 On Wednesday, Matiang’i, Kioni and the Jubilee machinery pitched camp in Nyeri—Gachagua’s political backyard—where they received a warm reception from residents.

 “Riggy G and I recently ate mbuzi together. And we are now in good terms. Wherever we will go, we will go as brothers because if we are divided, we will lose,” Kioni said.

 He praised Gachagua as an erudite politician whose “one term” clarion call has gained traction across the country.

 Sources indicate that Uhuru and Gachagua are exploring a working arrangement aimed at locking President William Ruto out of the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.

 Such a collaboration could pose a significant political challenge for Ruto as he seeks to reclaim influence in the region, which commands a substantial voting bloc.

 Mt Kenya West comprises six counties—Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Laikipia—while Mt Kenya East, the home turf of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, includes Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi.

 Nakuru county, which also has a significant Kikuyu population, further adds to the region’s electoral weight.

 Collectively, the 10 counties hold a decisive number of registered voters capable of influencing the outcome of a presidential election.

 Speaking in Nyandarua on Tuesday, Kioni not only praised Gachagua’s recent mobilisation but also framed him as the region’s de facto political leader.

 “We were with Raila Odinga in the [2023] demonstrations. I want to tell you that what Gachagua has achieved in the last year or so, Raila was unable to achieve during all the time he led us in demonstrations. This time, Kenya is united in saying ‘one-term’. Give that credit to Gachagua,” Kioni said.

 He went further to declare Gachagua the region’s political kingpin.

 “For us here in the mountain, we have a leader and I don’t have to explain why. We sat down with him and agreed we must work together, particularly here in the mountain,” he added, signalling a broader strategy to consolidate the Mt Kenya vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.

 Kioni, who until recently had been sharply critical of Gachagua and his DCP outfit, also issued a warning to Mt Kenya legislators who supported the former deputy president’s impeachment, branding them betrayers.

 “One thing I fear about the people of the mountain is betrayal. All they did in Parliament was betray Gachagua by voting for his impeachment. Nothing else matters. You betray this community; you are done. They will punish you on Election Day,” he said.

 The remarks reinforce Gachagua’s long-held position that his impeachment should be framed as a political betrayal, with leaders who backed his removal cast as enemies of the region.

 In recent months, the former deputy president has intensified campaigns against such leaders under the banner of “Operation Fagia Wasaliti.”

 Equally significant was Kioni’s invocation of Uhuru, who has largely kept a low public profile since leaving office.

 “I want to thank former President Uhuru Kenyatta. After the fight for control of Jubilee, Uhuru said he cannot betray a person who has stood with him all his life,” Kioni said.

 On Wednesday, Matiang'i launched Jubilee offices in Gachagua's backyard of Nyeri and engaged aspirants in Nyeri County.

 He said they will work together with other opposition parties in the "Wantam" clarion call, even as he said he has no problem with anyone.

 Jubilee deputy organising secretary Pauline Njoroge, while declining to directly comment on Kioni’s statements, confirmed that the party is already engaging with DCP and other opposition players.

 She added that Jubilee presidential hopeful Matiang’i has also expressed willingness to work with Gachagua.

 Speaking in Kiharu last week, Matiang’i told congregants that he is in close contact with Gachagua and part of a broader opposition formation.

 “I have even informed Gachagua that I am here because we are on the same team. Some people are uneasy because in the last two weeks we have joined hands with Gachagua, Kalonzo and Martha (Karua), and the whole united opposition,” Matiang’i said.

 “I am declaring that I am going to work with Gachagua.”

 The remarks point to a significant shift in relations between Gachagua and Matiang’i, who had previously been at odds.

 Gachagua had initially opposed Matiang’i’s apparent use of Jubilee as a 2027 presidential vehicle, with both sides at one point accusing each other of being aligned to President Ruto.

 However, tensions began to ease in recent months.

 In November, Uhuru reportedly cautioned Jubilee officials against attacking Gachagua, warning that such actions could cost them their positions in the party.

 In January, Gachagua publicly defended Uhuru against criticism from some ODM members.

 “We are seeing some ODM leaders attacking Uhuru. The reality is it is not those young leaders; it is President Ruto who is sending them. Our leader did his part and handed over power to you. I don’t want anyone attacking Uhuru,” Gachagua said.

 Gachagua and Uhuru were on opposing sides during the 2022 elections, a rivalry that contributed to their political fallout. However, recent developments suggest a convergence of interests, particularly in countering Ruto’s influence in the Mt Kenya region.

 Kioni also outlined what appears to be a coordinated campaign framework, in which Jubilee and DCP would operate separately while pursuing a shared political objective.

 “He will walk with DCP, and I will walk with Jubilee. Each will campaign for his outfit without insults,” Kioni said.

 Analysts say the approach points to a multi-party but unified regional strategy designed to maximise voter mobilisation while avoiding the fragmentation that has previously weakened Mt Kenya’s political bargaining power.

 If sustained, such coordination could significantly reshape the region’s electoral dynamics by presenting voters with aligned choices rather than competing factions.

 The consolidation of Mt Kenya behind a single political direction carries major implications for the 2027 election, given the region’s status as one of the country’s most populous and politically decisive voting blocs.