Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua received an unexpectedly cold welcome today during a stopover in Mathioya, the hometown of Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, following a church service.
The visit, which was anticipated to draw significant local support, instead saw a notably low turnout, prompting Gachagua to cut his speech short.
Local residents and political observers attributed the lukewarm reception to the strong grassroots work and growing influence of MP Mugo in the region.
Gachagua, who has been a central figure in Mt Kenya politics, arrived in Mathioya after attending a church service in the area.
The event was initially expected to serve as a platform for him to address local issues and rally support amidst ongoing political realignments in the region. However, the sparse crowd and lack of enthusiasm from those present were stark, with many attendees leaving shortly after his arrival.
In his abbreviated speech, Gachagua attempted to address the crowd but was visibly disheartened by the turnout.
Sources close to the former Deputy President noted his disappointment, as he had hoped to leverage the visit to strengthen his political footing in the region. “It’s clear the dynamics have shifted. The people here are more aligned with their local leaders now,” said a political analyst familiar with Mt Kenya politics.

Interviews with local residents revealed a growing admiration for MP Edwin Mugo, who has been praised for his consistent grassroots engagement and tangible development projects in Mathioya. “Mugo has been here for us. He listens, he acts, and he delivers. We don’t just see him during campaigns; he’s one of us,” said a local trader who preferred anonymity. Another resident echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We respect Gachagua, but Mugo is the one who has been on the ground, especially after the landslides last year. He didn’t just come with promises; he brought real help.”
The cold reception for Gachagua comes at a time when political supremacy battles in Mt Kenya have intensified. The region has witnessed growing tensions between Gachagua and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who has recently embarked on a developmental tour in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region
As Gachagua departed Mathioya, the mood among his entourage was somber. The former Deputy President, once a formidable force in Mt Kenya politics, now faces an uphill battle to regain the trust and support of a region increasingly swayed by grassroots-focused leaders like MP Mugo.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, today’s events underscore the shifting political landscape and the challenges Gachagua must navigate to remain relevant in the region.

Neither Gachagua nor Mugo were available for immediate comment following the visit. However, the day’s events have undoubtedly set the stage for further political maneuvering in Mt Kenya as local leaders continue to assert their influence.