Kagwanja: Gachagua now commands 80% support in Mt. Kenya
By Mustafa Juma, July 22, 2025People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Deputy Leader Peter Kagwanja has declared a dramatic rise in the popularity of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua across the Mt. Kenya region, claiming that support now stands at an impressive 80%.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on the night of Monday, July 21, 2025, Prof. Kagwanja emphasised that while Gachagua was not the most popular candidate in the region during the 2022 general election, his grassroots mobilisation and relatable messaging have transformed his political standing.
“Rigathi Gachagua was not one of the most famous persons in Mt. Kenya in 2022. Today, he is. We can rate him at 75 to 80 percent in terms of popularity within Mt. Kenya,” he said.
Gachagua’s cousins’ phrase
Kagwanja also pointed to the growing impact of Gachagua’s “Hi Cousins” narrative, which he says is gaining traction beyond Mt. Kenya—especially in Ukambani.
The phrase, which Gachagua has used to promote cross-regional unity and identity, has become a viral political slogan and a rallying call for new alliances.
“When you go to Ukambani, that ‘hi cousin’ saying is catching fire,” Kagwanja said.
Call for dialogue
Kagwanja also dismissed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s proposed national conclave as a futile exercise, saying it is a political rerun of previously failed dialogue attempts.
He questioned the rationale of reopening national dialogue when, in his view, the country had already undergone a similar process under the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).
“I want to say this very clearly, without mincing words, if we go this route, we’ll be wasting our time,” Kagwanja asserted.
Citing the NADCO talks, Kagwanja criticised Raila’s initiative, pointing out that despite extensive talks, the resulting recommendations were never implemented.
“After the explosion of the protests, destruction of property, and the vandalism of Raila Odinga’s own office, the country agreed to go into talks. Kalonzo Musyoka and Kimani Ichung’wah co-chaired NADCO. They talked, but the talks were never implemented,” he added.
He contended that Raila’s renewed call for a national conversation—framed around assembling a team of 40 young individuals from all 47 counties—is a recycled formula that leads to constitutional reform for political convenience.
“Raila’s formula has always been very clear. One, we will talk. For example, the Bomas talk. After that, we will have a draft constitution. After that, we will have a referendum, and after the referendum, we will go to the election,” he stated.