DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua made an unannounced visit to Wang’uru in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, on Monday — just a day after protests in which women demonstrators warned him never to set foot in the county unless he apologized to Governor Anne Waiguru.
In a dramatic show of defiance, Gachagua arrived in Wang’uru to a rousing reception, with hundreds of residents lining up to welcome him. His visit appeared to be a calculated political statement, signaling that he remains firmly in control of Mt. Kenya politics despite growing resistance from some local leaders.
Addressing the large crowd, Gachagua dismissed calls by Governor Waiguru’s supporters that he should stay away from Kirinyaga, declaring the county as part of his political stronghold.
“I hear that your governor is saying that I should not come to Kirinyaga,” Gachagua said. “Tell her this is my bedroom, and no one can be hindered from going to his bedroom.”
Gachagua was accompanied by several Mt. Kenya leaders, among them Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango — who is said to be eyeing the governor’s seat — and David Mathenge, who is reportedly positioning himself for the Senate seat. Nyandarua Senator John Methu was also present, using the occasion to emphasize the region’s political influence.
“Mt. Kenya made President William Ruto a president,” Methu told the gathering. “And we too have the power to make him a civilian.”
The remarks underscored the simmering tensions within the government, as Gachagua continues to rally Mt. Kenya leaders around what he calls a unity and accountability agenda.
On his social media pages, Gachagua shared details of his interaction with local farmers, particularly those in the rice-growing region of Mwea. He expressed solidarity with them, criticizing the government for neglecting their needs.
“Farmers must no longer be suppressed by a government they themselves elected,” he wrote. “When leaders fail to protect the interests of their people, it marks the highest point of government’s failure.”
The former deputy president emphasized the importance of empowering Mwea’s rice farmers, saying their contribution to the national economy must be recognized.
“Like any other farmers, rice farmers in Mwea deserve to have their voices heard and their needs prioritized. Their hard work sustains our nation, and it is the duty of their leaders to stand with them,” he stated.
Gachagua vowed to continue fighting for the rights and interests of farmers across the region and urged residents to remember who truly represents them.
“When the day of reckoning arrives on 10th August 2027, make the right choice,” he urged.
The visit — coming immediately after anti-Gachagua demonstrations — is widely viewed as a powerful political comeback and a message that he is not backing down from asserting his authority in Mt. Kenya politics.
