Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on Monday, January 12, 2026, the former Deputy President said he would not succumb to what he described as deliberate efforts by the Head of State to instil fear and weaken his influence in the region.
According to Gachagua, President Ruto wants him to withdraw from active politics so as to freely divide the Mt Kenya electorate and secure a second term in office.
“I will not buy fear,” Gachagua said.
“Ruto wants me to retreat into my house so that he can divide the mountain and use that division to get re-elected.”
Sacrifice for Mt Kenya unity
Gachagua framed his political struggle as a necessary sacrifice aimed at preserving Mt Kenya’s relevance in national politics. He argued that unless leaders from the region remain firm and united, the community risks political marginalisation.
“In life, sacrifices must be made,” he said. “If I don’t unite my people, they will become extinct politically and irrelevant in the national discourse.”
He claimed that his resistance to intimidation was driven by a responsibility to ensure the region speaks with one voice during the next election cycle.
The DCP leader warned that backing down would hand President Ruto an opportunity to split Mt Kenya into rival camps, weakening its bargaining power and diminishing its influence in determining the country’s leadership.
“If I buy fear, then Ruto will succeed in dividing the mountain, and once that happens, he will have an easy path back to State House,” Gachagua added.
Ruto’s re-election prospects
Gachagua went on to assert that President Ruto is fully aware that his chances of re-election in 2027 depend heavily on support from Mt Kenya, hence what he termed as aggressive tactics aimed at neutralising dissenting voices from the region.
“He knows very well that without Mt Kenya, he has no chance in 2027,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President further accused the President of turning against the community that overwhelmingly backed him in the 2022 election, alleging targeted persecution, dismissals from public service, and economic pressure on businesses linked to the region.
“He has declared war on my community,” Gachagua claimed. “If he is re-elected, he will finish the community completely. Our sons and daughters have been sacked, our businesses destroyed, and our people intimidated.”
He said his decision to openly challenge President Ruto was meant to prevent Mt Kenya votes from being fragmented and to ensure the region channels its political strength toward replacing the current administration in 2027.
Alleged intimidation and church incident
Gachagua has previously accused the government of using state security agencies to intimidate him and his supporters. His latest remarks come a day after chaos was reported during a church service he attended in Kiambu County.
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Gachagua was speaking at AIPCA Kiamuoria Church in Gatundu North when teargas was reportedly deployed near the church compound, affecting congregants, including women and children.
Addressing worshippers in Kikuyu and Swahili, Gachagua apologised to those affected and directly blamed President Ruto for the incident, claiming the use of teargas during church gatherings had become a recurring tactic.
“Msijali, poleni sana watoto na kina mama walioguzwa na teargas,” he said. “Hii imekuwa tabia ya William Ruto kupiga watu kanisani.”
He also sent a direct message to the President, warning that intimidation would not reverse the shifting political mood in Mt Kenya.
“Even if you beat us or send goons, your time in the mountain is over,” Gachagua said. “The more you intimidate the people, the more determined they become.”
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