Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has broken his silence — and it’s nothing short of explosive.
Speaking candidly on Spice FM on April 23, Ngunjiri publicly called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, warning him to “stop locking himself in Mt. Kenya” if he wants to remain politically relevant on the national stage. In a move many are calling a political betrayal, Ngunjiri declared that while he still maintains personal contact with Gachagua, he “can no longer stand behind a leader pushing the narrative of tribal exclusivity.”
“I haven’t abandoned Gachagua the person, but I won’t align myself with his brand of ‘Mlima politics.’ Kenya is bigger than Central!” he said with sharp conviction.
In a stunning critique, Ngunjiri challenged Gachagua to step out of his ethnic comfort zone and engage with voters across the country, including in the Rift Valley and Nyanza, saying, “If you face resistance elsewhere, it’s still better than being rejected by your own people!”
Ngunjiri — who hails from the ethnically diverse Nakuru County — painted a vivid picture of the dangers of ethnocentric politics. Recalling the horrific 2007/08 post-election violence that claimed 14 of his family members, he revealed the emotional scars that still guide his political choices.
“I can’t just speak Kikuyu in Nakuru. I mix Kisii, Kalenjin… I know many languages because this country needs healing, not division.”
The former MP’s conspicuous absence from Gachagua’s recent public events — including high-profile gatherings in Naivasha — has only fueled speculation of a deepening fallout. And with Gachagua doubling down on his Mt. Kenya base ahead of 2027, Ngunjiri’s rebuke couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Political analysts say this bold stance may signal a major realignment in Kenya’s power dynamics — and the first major crack in Gachagua’s Mt. Kenya stronghold.
Is this the beginning of the end for Gachagua’s tribal power play? Or will this shake-up spark a new era of inclusive politics? Kenya waits, watching with bated breath.
