Rigathi Gachagua has defended the right of the Mt Kenya community to celebrate its culture without being accused of tribalism. He also called on lawyers to take a more active role in protecting Kenya’s Constitution and electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President spoke on Saturday, November 7, at the second edition of Ngemi Cia Watho 2.0 in Thika, Kiambu County. The event was organised by the GEMA Watho Association and brought together lawyers, professionals and political leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Gachagua Defends Cultural Gatherings
Gachagua argued that communities across Kenya should be free to meet, celebrate their heritage and discuss issues affecting them.
He questioned why gatherings organised by other communities were often described as regional integration, while similar meetings involving Mt Kenya residents attracted accusations of tribalism.
He cited events involving the Mulembe community and pastoralist groups in Northern Kenya as examples.
“When the Mulembe nation, Wetang’ula and Musalia, calls their people together for a conversation, this is regional integration,” he said.
He added that Mt Kenya residents should not apologise for their identity.
“Shame on them! We are who we are, and we have no apologies to make to anybody,” he said.
Gachagua urged residents to preserve their culture and language, regardless of their education or professional achievements.
Ruto Faces Fresh Political Criticism
The DCP leader also criticised President William Ruto, saying Mt Kenya residents should not feel like outsiders in their own country.
“Let William Ruto know the mountain people are not refugees in their own country,” he said.
He declared that the region would work towards settling on one presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections. However, he insisted that its political support would not be given automatically.
Gachagua said potential partners would have to be assessed through negotiations and careful consultation. He cited honesty, integrity, good character and the ability to honour agreements as qualities that would guide the region’s decision.
His remarks point to a more cautious approach to political alliances after the region backed Ruto in the 2022 election.
Lawyers Urged to Defend the Constitution
Gachagua challenged advocates to help protect human rights, constitutional order and the integrity of the electoral process. He urged lawyers to participate in monitoring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), including by serving as election observers across the country.
He argued that scrutiny should begin before polling day because the processes leading to an election matter as much as the actual vote.
“We must work with you so that you are observers across the country to make sure William Ruto does not steal our election,” he said.
The former Deputy President also called on the Law Society of Kenya to speak more firmly against what he described as injustices.
He cited former LSK leaders Paul Muite, Nelson Havi and Martha Karua as examples of advocates who had spoken out on national issues.
Praise for Lawyers Who Represented Protesters
Gachagua praised lawyers who offered free legal services to young people arrested during the Gen Z-led protests of 2024 and 2025.
He said advocates had represented detainees without charging legal fees, helped raise cash bail and challenged bail terms they considered excessive.
He also condemned the reported disappearance of advocate Abshir Abdi, who was said to have been abducted in Kilimani on November 1.
Gachagua called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to establish Abdi’s whereabouts and ensure he was accounted for.
“If lawyers are abducted, what happens to ordinary Kenyans?” he asked.
Sifuna Calls for Unity Despite Past Differences
Sifuna also addressed the gathering, acknowledging his difficult political history with Gachagua.
The Nairobi senator said the two had agreed to put aside their differences because they shared concerns about the current administration and wanted to work towards a common political objective.
“We are the most unlikely of bedfellows, as they say, and we have a very checkered history,” Sifuna said.
He urged opposition leaders to avoid allowing personal disagreements to undermine cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sifuna also called on lawyers to remain active in defending the Constitution and protecting the rights of Kenyans. His remarks reflected a wider effort by opposition figures to explore areas of cooperation despite their different political backgrounds.
A Cultural Gathering With Political Significance
Ngemi Cia Watho 2.0 brought together legal professionals from the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru and Akamba communities.
The event combined cultural celebrations with professional networking and discussions about governance and public affairs. Its second edition also provided a platform for political leaders to address issues affecting the region and the country.
Gachagua’s remarks placed cultural identity, constitutionalism and political negotiations at the centre of the gathering.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the appearance of Gachagua and Sifuna together has drawn attention to possible cooperation between opposition figures who once had political differences.
Whether that understanding develops into a formal alliance remains to be seen. For now, both leaders have called for greater cooperation, while Gachagua has made clear that Mt Kenya’s eventual political support will be subject to negotiations.
