Mutahi Kahiga Ditches Gachagua, Reaffirms Support For Ruto
Mutahi Kahiga, Governor of Nyeri County, has reaffirmed his support for President William Ruto following reports that he had switched allegiance to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During a church service on Sunday, January 11, in Nyeri’s Othaya constituency, Kahiga reaffirmed his support for the president.
He stated that it was time to work for the Nyeri inhabitants and Kenyans in general, not to play politics.
The governor also stated that he was a member of the president’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), refuting allegations that he had joined Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
“William Ruto is my president, and I voted for him. I don’t know why people are getting confused,” Kahiga stated.
Mutahi Kahiga denounces Gachagua pic.twitter.com/E4FQZbm8i3
— Princess P. (@PamelaAngweye) January 11, 2026
“There is no other president. Let us differentiate time and seasons. It’s time to work. Politics will come, and we will do politics.
“For now, let us support the president. I am still a member of UDA, full paid up, and that is a fact,” he added, clearing claims that he had defected from the party.
“I am surprised when people talk too much. I don’t want to be like wi-fi that connects everywhere. We must have a plan.”
Kahiga accompanied the president to the church service, just days after hosting Gachagua at a county rally on Friday, January 9, in which he appeared to mobilize support for the former DP.
The governor’s comments came amid political tensions and realignment following Gachagua’s impeachment in 2024.
He is currently regarded as a lone ranger, following the rift with Ruto’s UDA, as well as Gachagua’s party’s disavowal of him in late 2025 due to his controversial political remarks.
The opposition claimed that the governor was officially affiliated with the UDA.
“Even when I had a problem with Itumbi, UDA criticised me, and DCP also did the same,” he noted.
“I was lost and never knew where I was. I decided to go back to these people to tell me where to go.”
Kahiga has emerged as Ruto’s most vocal critic in the Mount Kenya region since his impeachment.
He has repeatedly accused President Ruto of prioritizing other regions and ignoring the mountain, particularly in economic projects.
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In October 2025, the Nyeri county boss accused Ruto’s administration of favouring the Nyanza region in development.
He also allegedly made inflammatory remarks about the demise of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, remarks that led to public outcry.
Due to the tensions in the country regarding his remarks, Kahiga resigned from his position as the vice chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG), a position he had just occupied at that time.
Later, the council elected Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki as Kahiga’s replacement.
Mutahi Kahiga Ditches Gachagua, Reaffirms Support For Ruto
