Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has officially joined former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party. Wambugu expressed confidence that President William Ruto might not be a one-term leader, noting that public dissatisfaction in Mt Kenya was beginning to decline.
“People are healing. In November, there was a lot of anger over the Gachagua impeachment, but now leaders are being listened to again,” he said during an interview on Kogi’s Corner TV.
Wambugu opposed any attempt to form a single dominant political party in Mt Kenya, saying such moves would limit democracy and competition.
“As someone who values justice and fairness, I cannot support a one-party system. Multi-party democracy should be upheld,” he stated.
He drew comparisons with past political moments, saying that similar challenges faced by Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta did not prevent them from completing two terms.
“Anyone can be a one-term president, but it hasn’t happened yet in Kenya. President Ruto and his team are working to fix mistakes, and I believe he has what it takes to go the full term,” Wambugu said.
He also criticized Gachagua’s plan to launch a new political party in Mt Kenya, arguing that it risks promoting a one-party environment and excluding others.
Wambugu clarified his past role in Gachagua’s office, saying he served in a professional capacity to help with communication strategy until the former deputy president’s impeachment in October 2024.
“I wasn’t a politician in that role. My job was to help improve his public image. I left when my work ended and returned to active politics independently,” he explained.
Wambugu further mentioned that he worked for the presidency as a whole before officially focusing on Gachagua’s communication from November 1, 2023. He noted that efforts to consolidate Mt Kenya as Gachagua’s political base began during that period.
He also addressed recent accusations made against him by individuals close to Gachagua, denying claims that he demanded money from visiting delegations.
“If someone leaves, let them go in peace. Don’t use lies to destroy reputations,” he said.
Political analyst and former Mt Kenya MCA caucus leader Charles Mwangi said the recent developments reflect an ongoing political shift in the region.
“We are witnessing realignments. Mr Wambugu’s criticism of Gachagua shows that Mt Kenya politics is becoming more dynamic,” said Mwangi.
Wambugu reaffirmed Jubilee’s position ahead of the 2027 elections and rejected any plan to create a single political party to represent the entire Mt Kenya region.
“I’m a member of Jubilee, and we believe in open competition. A Gachagua-only party would limit our ability to engage voters in 2027,” he noted.
He also questioned the notion that other Mt Kenya parties are simply aligned with President Ruto, saying such statements lack strategic foresight.
Drawing from his experience, Wambugu warned that political dominance in one region often leads to lower voter turnout, as seen in ODM strongholds, while Mt Kenya thrives on competition which boosts voter participation.
He emphasized that Jubilee will actively participate in the 2027 elections and seek its fair share of influence.
“We are a party supported by public funds. We will not back down or close ourselves off,” he stated.
When referring to President Ruto, Wambugu said he chooses to use the name “William” as a mark of respect, distancing himself from some local nicknames used by critics.
He addressed speculation that he must align with Gachagua to win back his Nyeri Town parliamentary seat in 2027.
“That’s not true. I believe leadership should be based on merit, not party waves. Let voters decide based on candidates, not endorsements,” he said.
Wambugu also expressed doubts that a new party by Gachagua could succeed if it led to by-elections, calling such a move risky.
“Resigning to seek re-election is dangerous. We shouldn’t adopt a politics of exclusion,” he said, criticizing both Gachagua’s and Odinga’s political styles.
He called for less hostility in politics and urged Mt Kenya leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric.
“Our politics is filled with too much hate. We must be more empathetic. Celebrating misfortunes, even those of leaders, shows how far we’ve fallen,” he said.
Wambugu advised the region not to follow calls to protest against Ruto, warning against regional isolation.
“We should not divide ourselves. Today’s statements could be used to justify tomorrow’s actions. Let’s be cautious,” he urged.
He concluded by asking Mt Kenya voters to choose leaders based on their values and vision, not party influence or pressure from political figures.
“Let’s vote wisely in 2027. I don’t believe Gachagua will create a political wave like in 2022,” he said.
Wambugu also warned that if Mt Kenya abandons its alliance with Ruto, it could risk losing the deputy presidency, currently held by Prof Kithure Kindiki.
“We are an important voting bloc. If we distance ourselves from the government, we could lose our influence,” he warned.
