Just like in 2022, Mt Kenya’s is once again at a crossroads, with new parties emerging and fresh political coalitions, the region faces a defining choice between two contrasting political visions.
The first, rooted in experience, stability, and institutional depth under Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, and another driven by populism and short-term political gains under former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Jubilee Party’s Legacy of Experience and Institutional Strength
Under the leadership of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Jubilee Party remains one of the most experienced and structured political movements in Kenya’s history. Having evolved from The National Alliance (TNA), Jubilee dominated Mt Kenya politics for nearly a decade, uniting the region and delivering tangible development across the country.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership as a respected African statesman continues to command influence beyond Kenya’s borders. His tenure as President was marked by infrastructural transformation, economic reforms, and a deliberate effort to foster national unity first with William Ruto in 2013 and later, with Raila Odinga in 2018. These achievements have cemented his reputation as a leader who understands governance and the delicate balance of regional plus national interests.
Today, Jubilee’s institutional maturity gives it a unique advantage. The party has a tested political machinery, experienced nationwide grassroots networks, and leaders who have served in both government and opposition. This depth of experience positions Jubilee as the only party capable of articulating Mt Kenya’s interests effectively in the evolving national political conversation.
DCP’s Populism Without Substance
On the other hand, Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) represents a new but uncertain experiment. The new party has no elected leader, never held any leadership roles. While Gachagua has attempted to position himself as the political voice of Mt Kenya, his approach has largely mirrored the emotional and divisive politics that cost the region dearly in 2022. He has a vendetta to settle with Ruto, for being impeached.
The last general election saw Mt Kenya elect a wave of inexperienced leaders after the Jubilee Party decided to support Raila Odinga. A taboo in Mt Kenya. Many of these leaders quickly earned the unflattering tag “tugege” for their inability to articulate issues in Parliament or deliver meaningful results to their constituents. These leaders did not rise to power through merit or vision. It was an emotional manipulation and political blackmail.
DCP appears to be following the same trajectory. Its leadership lacks the institutional grounding and political sophistication necessary to navigate Kenya’s complex governance landscape. Instead of building consensus and policy-driven politics, Rigathi Gachagua is deepening divisions within Mt Kenya and isolating the region with his tribal-cousin politics.
The 2022 election serves as a sobering lesson for Mt Kenya. Many credible, development-oriented leaders who had served their people diligently were swept aside simply because they stuck to Uhuru Kenyatta’s advice and ran on the Jubilee Party ticket, which had temporarily fallen out of favor. The result was a leadership vacuum filled by individuals with limited capacity to represent the region’s interests effectively.
This political miscalculation has weakened Mt Kenya’s voice in national affairs from 2022 to date. The region, once known for its political coherence and strategic influence, finds itself fragmented and reactive. Repeating the same mistake under DCP would only entrench this decline further.
Mt Kenya must rally behind a party with proven leadership, institutional memory, and a unifying vision to reclaim its national glory. Jubilee Party, under Uhuru Kenyatta’s stewardship, offers precisely that.
The party’s deep roots in the region, its track record of governance, and its capacity to attract credible leaders make it the natural vehicle for Mt Kenya’s political resurgence.
