NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13, 2025 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a firestorm within Kenya’s opposition circles with a sweeping set of demands in exchange for delivering the vote-rich Mount Kenya region’s estimated 10 million votes to a potential coalition led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
The demands, revealed through posts circulating on X, outline an ambitious power-sharing arrangement that prioritizes Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru (GEMA) community’s interests, while imposing strict conditions on coalition partners.
Gachagua, who launched the DCP in May 2025 after resigning from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), is positioning himself as the kingmaker of the Mount Kenya region, claiming he has “locked out” President William Ruto from the region’s political support.
His demands, described as “outrageous” by some observers, include non-negotiable control over key government portfolios, strategic appointments, and exclusive political zoning rights, raising questions about the feasibility of a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Key Demands: A Power Grab or Strategic Bargaining?
According to the details shared on X, Gachagua is seeking control over critical government sectors, including the Ministries of Finance, Energy, and Roads and Public Infrastructure, as well as the National Treasury, with non-negotiable appointments for the Cabinet Secretary, Accountant-General, and Commissioner-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Additionally, he demands the CEO position at KCB Bank, a major financial institution.
Negotiable positions include the Director General of the Communications Authority (CA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHa), among others.
In security, Gachagua insists on appointing either the Chief of Defence Forces or the Inspector General of Police, alongside the Permanent Secretary for Internal Security and the Director General of the National Intelligence Service.
The Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is listed as negotiable.
Parliamentary control is also a priority, with Gachagua demanding the Speaker and Majority Leader of the National Assembly, the Clerk of the Senate, and the Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
In Nairobi County, he seeks the governorship and key financial positions, while in higher education, he demands vice-chancellor roles at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Open University of Kenya, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, as well as the CEO of the Universities Funding Board.
Political Zoning and Ethnic Exclusions
Gachagua’s demands extend to the structure of the opposition alliance, with the DCP claiming exclusive representation of Mount Kenya and Nakuru, explicitly rejecting the inclusion of Jubilee or Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP).
He proposes a regional zoning plan, allocating Western Kenya to Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K, the Gusii region to Matiang’i’s party, and Lower Eastern and most of the Coast to Kalonzo’s Wiper Party, with exceptions for Nyali and Lamu, which would fall under DCP control.
Most controversially, Gachagua’s demands include a blanket exclusion of Luo individuals from critical positions, including cabinet secretaries and permanent secretaries, and a refusal to form any coalition with Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), even if opportunities arise.
He also stipulates that the Luhya community’s share of positions will depend on the votes they deliver post-election.
In return, Gachagua guarantees that the Kikuyu community will deliver 95% of Mount Kenya’s votes and pledges DCP’s support for a Kalonzo-Matiang’i presidential ticket, with himself as the sole representative of GEMA interests.
Opposition Reactions and Political Implications
The demands have sparked heated debate within the opposition.
Critics, including INJECT Party leader Morara Kebaso, have accused Gachagua of promoting divisive ethnic politics, a charge that led to his impeachment in October 2024.
Kebaso’s concerns echo sentiments from some quarters that Gachagua’s focus on securing power for Mount Kenya risks alienating other regions and undermining national unity.
Kalonzo Musyoka, who has welcomed Gachagua into the opposition fold, has acknowledged the potential of a Ukambani-Mount Kenya coalition, estimating that 3.5 to 4 million votes from Ukambani combined with Mount Kenya’s 10 million could secure a presidential victory in 2027.
However, Gachagua’s insistence on excluding other parties like Jubilee and PLP, led by former allies like Martha Karua, may complicate coalition-building efforts.
Raila Odinga, a key opposition figure, has dismissed Gachagua’s leadership credentials, arguing that his tenure as deputy president showed no evidence of transformative governance.
Odinga’s remarks highlight tensions within the opposition, particularly as Gachagua’s demands sideline ODM and Luo representation, potentially fracturing the broader Azimio coalition.
Gachagua’s Strategy: Mobilizing the Mountain
Gachagua’s demands come as he intensifies efforts to consolidate Mount Kenya’s estimated 7 to 10 million votes, a bloc that delivered 47% of Ruto’s votes in 2022. Speaking at various events, including a church service in Meru and a rally in Vihiga, Gachagua has claimed to have “locked out” Ruto from the region, accusing the president of betraying Mount Kenya’s interests.
He has also criticized Ruto’s administration for alleged discrimination against the Kikuyu community, citing unequal treatment in protest-related charges.
The former deputy president has framed his new party, the DCP, as a vehicle for national inclusivity while maintaining a strong regional focus.
At the DCP’s unveiling in May 2025, he appointed officials from outside Mount Kenya to counter accusations of tribalism, though his latest demands suggest a prioritization of GEMA interests.
Ruto’s Response and the Road to 2027
President Ruto has dismissed Gachagua’s campaign as propaganda, insisting that his administration’s development agenda benefits all regions, including Mount Kenya.
Ruto’s strategists are banking on new alliances, particularly with Odinga, to offset potential losses in Mount Kenya, while promoting figures like Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the region’s new political spokesman.
However, Gachagua’s aggressive mobilization, backed by regional leaders and his fiery rhetoric, poses a significant challenge.
His claim of rallying 8 million votes to “send Ruto home” underscores the high stakes of his strategy.
A Divisive Gambit?
As Kenya’s political landscape heats up ahead of 2027, Gachagua’s demands have placed the opposition at a crossroads.
While his control over Mount Kenya’s votes could be a game-changer, the exclusionary nature of his conditions risks alienating key allies and reinforcing accusations of ethnic politics.
Whether Kalonzo, Matiang’i, and other opposition leaders will accept these terms remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Gachagua’s gambit has set the stage for a contentious battle for Kenya’s political future.
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