Gachagua’s tough fight for space in Nakuru politics amid persistent hostility

Political temperatures in Nakuru County are fast rising, and recent developments suggest that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Governor Susan Kihika remain deeply at odds with the county’s current regime.

Earlier this week, a billboard featuring Gachagua alongside Dr Peter Mbae was erected in Nakuru, only to be pulled down shortly afterward.

The removal of this poster reignited the fight between the current administration and the opposition. Dr Mbae came out to condemn this act and pointed the finger at Susan Kihika’s regime.

For those who are still not aware, the former DP is planning to visit Nakuru County on Feb 28–March 1. Even though the visit is a month away, the tension among the political class is palpable at the moment.

Ever since his impeachment, the former DP and Nakuru County Governor have not been seeing eye to eye (for obvious reasons). In the last year or so, bitter exchanges have been witnessed between the two, with Nakuru residents being at the epicenter of it all.

Notably, since his impeachment, Gachagua has largely stayed away from the heart of Nakuru City, an absence many interpret as a reflection of the hostile political environment.

Last year on November 11, the DCP party leader visited Gilgil to attend the funeral of Tabby Kariuki, the wife of the late J.M. Kariuki. Rigathi Gachagua, together with other opposition leaders, were attacked by goons who stopped their engagement with the public soon after tear gas canisters were hurled at them, and the rally came to an end.

In the past year, Gachagua and senior members of the DCP party have tried to hold engagements in Nakuru, and time and again they have been met with brute force that has left them scampering for safety, with a clear message that Nakuru is not ready for them.

Another similar incident was when delegations led by Senator John Methu and Cleophas Malala were tear-gassed during separate visits in Subukia and Gilgil.

Gachagua came out to condemn these acts of violence meted out on him and his party members. On July 21, 2025, at a public forum, he called out the Governor, and even went ahead to blame the First Gentleman, Sam Mburu, for orchestrating these attacks.

He alleged that Sam Mburu, who is a close confidant of the President, had compromised the police in the county and that the police were frustrating DCP party members under his authority.

“Since he decided to frustrate us, I have told the people of Nakuru to punish him by making his wife, Susan Kihika, a one-term Governor,” he said.

On November 11, while at Gilgil, he accused the Governor of hiring goons to throw stones at those who had congregated for their rally. Here, he reiterated his earlier comments and urged Nakuru residents to vote her out.

Susan Kihika also had a few things to say about this. Most of the time Susan has come out to address the sentiments of the former DP, her message has always been along the lines of tribalism and incitement.
Following Gachagua’s sentiments on July 21, 2025, Susan came out on July 24 with a stern warning of her own.
“Nakuru County is a cosmopolitan county, hatutaki hio maneno yako ya ukabila na incitement. Alafu Gachagua unikome! Anasema hamtanipigia kura kwani ako na kura zenu kwa mfuko,” she said.
On January 30, she reiterated her earlier stance on matters of tribalism and divisive politics, saying that those are the things she would not want to see in Nakuru County.