Wamuzi News Ke
In a scathing broadside heard across internal corridors of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, former MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has publicly challenged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his efforts to champion lawyers as MPs from the Mt. Kenya region—while allegedly failing to support one of their own: Kithure Kindiki, a professor of law and sitting Deputy President. Wambugu’s pointed accusations mark a sharp escalation in internal coalition tensions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wambugu’s Charge: Selective Support and Political Games
According to a statement shared by Wambugu on his socials on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, he questioned Gachagua’s sincerity in calling for “lawyer MPs” from the region, arguing that the Deputy President ought first to support Kindiki, who he described as the legal professional par excellence and a natural leader for the region.
“If Gachagua genuinely wants us to vote for lawyers as MPs for Mt. Kenya, then he should fully support Deputy President Kindiki, who is a professor of law, to be the next Mt Kenya political kingpin.”
Wambugu accused Gachagua of standing in the way of Kindiki’s ascendancy—a move that he says undermines both the region’s promise of professional representation and its political leverage. The criticism carries weight given Kindiki’s legal pedigree and recent elevation, and suggests deeper fault lines in the coalition’s Mt. Kenya strategy.
Strategic Implications for Mt. Kenya and Kenya Kwanza
The public rebuke signals multiple potential flashpoints:
- Mt. Kenya vote block at risk: Gachagua has long counted on the region for electoral leverage, but Wambugu’s remarks imply growing disillusionment among professionals and political operatives over unmet expectations.
- Professional identity vs. regional loyalty: The push for “lawyer MPs” intersects with identity politics, as voters balance credentials, regional representation, and party loyalties. If Gachagua alienates the professional class in Mt. Kenya, his political base could weaken.
- Coalition coherence under strain: Kenya Kwanza must present unity ahead of 2027. A visible breakdown—particularly in Mt. Kenya—could provide opposition forces with an opening and stress the coalition’s internal coordination.
- Emerging leadership contest: Wambugu’s endorsement of Kindiki positions him for a leadership surge in the region. If this shift gains traction, the established hierarchy anchored in Gachagua could face disruption.
What’s Next on the Political Chessboard
Analysts expect a series of moves in response to this confrontation:
- Gachagua may issue a public defence or counter-narrative, clarifying his stance on Kindiki and the call for lawyer representation.
- Kindiki’s camp may gain momentum in Mt. Kenya, leveraging Wambugu’s endorsement to mobilise support among professionals and aspiring MPs.
- The professional class in the region—advocates, chartered accountants, technocrats—might mobilise behind the “lawyer MPs” slogan in more organised fashion, redefining regional bargaining power.
- Opposition parties could exploit this internal rift, positioning themselves as alternatives to a coalition appearing divided and out of sync with regional elites.
Conclusion
In a volatile pre-electoral environment, Wambugu’s sharp criticism of Gachagua is more than a regional spat—it may signal that the Mt. Kenya political block is shifting its calculus. The momentum behind Kindiki and the appeal to professional credentials suggest a new axis of influence is forming, one that could reshape the regional power dynamics ahead of 2027. The question now is whether Kenya Kwanza can reconcile these divisions or whether the cracks will widen.
