According to available analyst reports by their author, the Mount Kenya region is experiencing a political shift and a high-stakes game of numbers as the battle for regional supremacy intensifies.
Following the transition in the Deputy Presidency, both former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, have been traversing the expansive region.
Each leader is seeking to consolidate support and establish himself as the definitive spokesperson for the GEMA community.
The rivalry has reached a new peak this Christmas season as former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu issues a public challenge.
Wambugu has dared Gachagua to match the massive crowds that Kindiki has attracted today as he gives Christmas gifts to locals.
This crowd-pulling contest is seen as a litmus test for political relevance in a region that often votes as a bloc.
Today, Kindiki visited Irunduni in Tharaka Nithi County. The images from the event show a sea of humanity, signaling that he has deep-rooted support in his home turf and beyond.
During the visit, Kindiki has distributed food items, further cementing his connection with the grassroots.
Supporters argue that Kindiki has the temperament and the official state backing required to lead the region forward.
On the other hand, Rigathi Gachagua has not retreated from the public eye.
Despite his removal from office, he maintains that he has a direct pulse on the ordinary person in Mount Kenya.
His allies argue that crowds at a state-funded function do not necessarily translate to genuine political loyalty.
Currently, both politicians have a difficult task ahead. They must convince the electorate that they have the best interests of the mountain at heart regarding development and resource allocation.
As 2025 draws to a close, the game of numbers has only just begun and the residents of Mount Kenya have the final say on who their kingpin will be.
