Yesterday’s events in Nyeri were troubling, not because of what happened on the streets, but because of what they reveal about Rigathi Gachagua’s brand of politics. Groups of men were seen moving around town wielding jembe sticks and spreading fear. Shortly after, Gachagua took to Facebook to blame the Inspector General and claim the government had organized chaos to block him from setting foot in Nyeri. That version of events quickly unraveled.
When Gachagua later emerged for his meeting, the very same group that had been seen earlier with jembe sticks was spotted escorting him to the venue. To many observers, this looked less like state intimidation and more like a familiar political script: create disorder, then step forward as the victim. In Kenyan slang, this is mchezo wa taon — manufacture chaos, then use it to gain sympathy and attention.
If the government truly wanted to frustrate Gachagua, he would not be moving freely across the country, holding rallies, or addressing meetings in Nairobi while openly attacking institutions and leaders. Power, when it intends to silence, does not rely on street drama. The truth is that Gachagua has been allowed to speak because every time he does, he weakens his own standing.
Instead of offering ideas, unity, or a credible vision, he has chosen grievance, victimhood, and ethnic mobilisation. This rhetoric has real consequences. Business people from Mt Kenya who live and trade outside the region bear the cost when tribal politics poison relationships and markets. Fear and division are bad for business and worse for national cohesion.
It was also striking to hear Gachagua tell residents that he had come to seek their “permission” and support to run for president. The confidence would be impressive if it were anchored in humility and reflection. Instead, it sounded detached from political reality, especially given his recent troubles.
He even urged voters to support leaders purely out of loyalty, regardless of performance. That is an insult to voters’ intelligence. Leadership is not about noise, theatrics, or manufactured victimhood. The people of Mt Kenya know this. Kenya is bigger than any individual ego, and citizens deserve better than fear, excuses, and political games.
