Rigathi Gachagua is under sharp scrutiny after publicly dismissing Mt Kenya MPs as “lightweights” — only to turn around and endorse Mugithi musician DP Karish for the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
Speaking at a recent event, Gachagua compared Mt Kenya legislators unfavourably to ODM lawmakers, accusing them of lacking ideological clarity. He singled out Kiambaa MP John Njuguna Wanjiku (Kawanjiku), claiming the region had “elected children who cannot defend the community.”
Yet in 2021, Gachagua was one of the lead campaigners backing Kawanjiku during the high-stakes Kiambaa by-election.
Kawanjiku has since publicly alleged that after the victory, Gachagua demanded KSh 5 million as “appreciation for support” — accusations that have intensified claims of transactional politics around the former DP.
Now, while insisting Mt Kenya must elect “lawyers and professionals,” Gachagua is championing Karish, a popular Mugithi performer, as the ideal leader for Mbeere North.
Political observers say the contradiction is not accidental — it is strategic. Endorsing Karish allows Gachagua to retain personal influence, not empower independent leaders.
It echoes the findings of his 2024 Senate impeachment, which cited political patronage networks and ethnic manipulation as core features of his leadership style.
For many in Mbeere North, the question is now unavoidable:
If he said we need “serious leaders,” why is he choosing those he can control?
The campaign has begun — and the credibility test is his.
