Mt. Kenya political leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto, accusing his administration of orchestrating ethnic profiling, economic targeting, and divisive tribal politics aimed at communities from the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking during a series of press briefings, leaders affiliated with the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) claimed that the government is pursuing policies and political messaging designed to isolate the Kikuyu community and weaken the region's influence in national affairs.
The accusations were led by DCP Secretary General John Methu and Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, who alleged that the administration is reviving the controversial "41 against 1" political narrative, a phrase historically associated with ethnic mobilization during election periods.
According to the leaders, there is a growing pattern of anti-Kikuyu rhetoric that they believe is being tolerated or encouraged by individuals within government. They further alleged that businesses owned by people from the Mt. Kenya region are increasingly being targeted, claiming that some state officials are involved in efforts to undermine economic interests associated with the region.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara also criticized the administration, accusing President Ruto of weaponizing ethnicity despite receiving overwhelming political support from the Mt. Kenya region during the 2022 General Election. She claimed that key government and security positions have increasingly been filled by individuals from the President's ethnic community, an allegation that has intensified political tensions between the two camps.
The dispute was further fueled by recent remarks made by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar. Mt. Kenya leaders interpreted the comments as hostile toward the region and demanded his resignation, arguing that such statements risk deepening ethnic divisions and undermining national unity.
The allegations come amid a widening political fallout between President Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, whose allies have become increasingly vocal in criticizing the Kenya Kwanza administration. The growing rift has reshaped the political landscape in the Mt. Kenya region, with leaders aligned to Gachagua positioning themselves as defenders of the region's political and economic interests.
The government has previously maintained that its appointments and policies are guided by national interests and constitutional principles rather than ethnic considerations. However, the latest accusations are likely to intensify debate over regional representation, political loyalty, and the future of alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
As the war of words escalates, political observers warn that leaders across the divide will need to exercise caution to prevent rhetoric that could inflame ethnic tensions and undermine national cohesion.
Source attributed: The Standard