Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has renamed the Ukambani region as long lost cousins from Mt Kenya South, urging them to go behind Kalonzo and unite with their neighbours to command a stronger voting block.
Speaking to a packed congregation in Machakos on Sunday, he laid out a bold vision for Kenya’s future—one where the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba (GEMA) communities take the driver’s seat in shaping the next government, and maybe even the next century.
“GEMA ndiyo dawa ya Kenya,” he roared, “GEMA itaunda the next governments for 100 years.”
It’s a declaration that’s got everyone talking—supporters nodding fiercely, skeptics raising eyebrows, and political rivals scrambling to respond. Gachagua’s confidence isn’t just bluster; he says he’s crunched the numbers.
“We’ve looked at them, and they’re good—with or without him,” he said, taking a swipe at veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga. For Gachagua, Raila’s support is a bonus, not a necessity.
But it’s his jab at President William Ruto that’s really lighting up the grapevine.
“Life support machine ya Ruto ni Raila saa hii. Akizima, amekwisha,” he quipped, painting Ruto as a leader clinging to power through Raila’s influence. Gachagua didn’t stop there—he’s already sizing up the 2027 election leaderboard, predicting Ruto will limp in at “number 3 or 4.”
This is Gachagua unleashed—fiery, unapologetic, and betting big on GEMA unity. “If we unite as GEMA, we shall be in power for the next 100 years,” he told the faithful, his words dripping with defiance.
It’s a rallying cry that’s got his base buzzing, but it’s also raising questions: Can one region really lock down Kenya’s political future for a century? And what happens to the rest of the country in this grand plan?
Just days ago, Gachagua was singing a slightly different tune. In an interview with Musyi FM and other Kamba stations, he left the door ajar for Raila, hinting at a possible team-up to topple Ruto in 2027. “I don’t understand Raila’s intentions,” he mused.
“It’s his choice—stick with Ruto and water down his legacy, or join us to liberate this country.” But he was quick to add a kicker: Raila or no Raila, Ruto’s days are numbered. “The 9 million Gen Zs won’t vote for him. Kenyans have decided—Ruto must go.”
It’s a wild twist in Kenya’s political soap opera. Raila and Ruto, once bitter foes, have cozied up in a new “broad-based government” deal, complete with Raila’s allies landing cushy cabinet gigs.
Meanwhile, Gachagua—booted from Ruto’s inner circle after his October impeachment—has been on a mission, crisscrossing the country to stitch together a new opposition powerhouse.
He’s already sat down with heavyweights like Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party, and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa. The vibe? A united front to send Ruto packing come 2027.
For the folks in Machakos, Gachagua’s words hit home. “He’s one of us, and he’s speaking our truth,” said Mary Nduku, a trader who’d squeezed into the church pews to hear him. “We’re tired of being sidelined.” Others aren’t so sure. “GEMA alone can’t run Kenya,” muttered Joseph Mutiso, a mechanic nursing a soda outside. “We need everyone on board, not just one group.”
