Gachagua rallies GEMA unity, says It’s key to century-long grip on power

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a bold call for unity among the GEMA communities—comprising the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba—insisting that their political solidarity will ensure their continued dominance in government for the next century.
Speaking during a church service at the Gospel Confirmation Centre in Machakos Town on Sunday, 2 March 2025, Gachagua urged the Mt. Kenya region to consolidate its voting bloc to secure power in the 2027 elections and beyond.
“Politics is a game of mathematics,” he declared. “And the mathematics of politics is addition. That is why you have seen that President William Ruto is struggling. Politics is all about numbers. We in Mt. Kenya must unite as one. Let us come together and join hands with other Kenyans. Once we have unified, we will have many friends across the country, including in Maasailand. Come 2027, we will win in the first round—there will be no run-off.”
Gachagua also emphasized the importance of his political relationship with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, asserting that their unity would be crucial in defeating Ruto’s administration.
He described Kalonzo as a seasoned politician and legal expert, while portraying himself as the only leader who truly understands President Ruto’s tactics.
“My partnership with Kalonzo cannot be broken. If we separate, we are finished. Kalonzo is a lawyer with vast experience, and I am the one who understands Ruto better than anyone. We must unite, and this mountain must remain as one. If we stay united as GEMA for the next 100 years, we will be in government in every election.”
In a striking shift from his previous alliances, Gachagua extended an olive branch to the Akamba people, acknowledging them as longstanding allies of the Mt. Kenya region.
He criticised Ruto for sidelining him and the Mt. Kenya bloc after securing the presidency, warning that his former political base had now turned against him.
“You, the Akamba people, are our cousins,” Gachagua told the congregation. “We in Mt. Kenya supported William Ruto, but he has cast us aside. You, on the other hand, backed Raila Odinga. The real solution for Kenya lies in a GEMA-Akamba alliance. And I want to assure the Akamba people that this time, we will form the government together—there will be no turning back.”
He accused President Ruto of underestimating his political strength and attempting to isolate him while retaining the support of the Mt. Kenya electorate. However, he claimed that the move had backfired, as Ruto had lost the trust of the region.
“Ruto thought he was very clever. He assumed that by removing me, he could keep my people. But when he pushed me out, my people left with me. That is why, even when he sends condolence messages to churches, they are rejected. Recently, he went to Embu, and his condolence message was turned away. People said he could come, but they do not want lies. If they do not like you, they will not vote for you. At a bishop’s event, he started lying about how well the economy is performing, and he was told to take his lies elsewhere.”
Gachagua further alleged that the government was mismanaging public funds, accusing Ruto’s administration of hoarding KSh 1.3 trillion in containers to use as political bribes.
“This money is meant for buying people’s support. My advice is simple—take the money, spend it, and when the time comes, I will announce the day to close the ‘hotel’,” he remarked sarcastically.
He also referenced a recent incident where the Head of State sent KSh 5 million to a gathering, only for the attendees to record themselves singing praises before forwarding the video back to him.
“I saw the other day that Kiambu was sent KSh 5 million. People took the money, recorded themselves singing, and sent the video back. Ruto was so happy, thinking they had accepted him. But we all know the truth,” he claimed.