Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has drawn the political battle lines with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, declaring that no party will be allowed to claim exclusive ownership of Nyeri as the 2027 General Election approaches.
Wambugu, who is seeking to reclaim the Nyeri Town parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket, on Tuesday challenged Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and other political formations to campaign freely in the constituency, but warned against attempts to intimidate rivals or “zone off” parts of Mt Kenya.
His message came as DCP leaders and supporters descended on Nyeri Town, in what is likely to intensify the contest for political influence in a region where Gachagua has been seeking to consolidate support for his party ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We respect him but we do not fear him,” Wambugu said of Gachagua, in a pointed message that underscored the growing rivalry among political formations seeking control of the Mt Kenya vote.
Speaking to journalists at his Nyeri Town office, Wambugu said the electorate should be allowed to listen to competing political messages before deciding which candidates and parties to support.
His remarks appeared to challenge efforts by any political outfit to portray Nyeri or the wider Mt Kenya region as its political stronghold.
“Multi-party democracy is about giving citizens choices. It means that no individual, party or political formation can declare Nyeri Town, Nyeri County, or indeed any part of the Mt Kenya region, its exclusive political preserve,” he said.
Wambugu said even Jubilee and UDA, which have produced Nyeri Town’s last two MPs, could not claim ownership of the constituency.
The former MP also sought to turn the DCP visit into an opportunity to rally competing parties to the constituency, listing PNU, DP, PLP, PPK, Wiper, DAPK, UDA and ODM among formations he wants to see campaign in the area.
“Everyone should come. Present your candidates. Present your policies. Present your record. Present your vision. Present your case,” he said.
The former legislator, however, struck a harder tone over reports of possible deployment of goons during political rallies, warning that Nyeri residents should not be subjected to intimidation or violence.
He cited recent violence in Homa Bay as a warning of what could happen if political competition is allowed to degenerate into confrontation.
“This is what makes the implication that DCP will come with its people to ‘protect’ itself today, as stated by their Kieni aspirant, Kanini Kega, worrying,” Wambugu said.
“We do not know about Kieni, but Nyeri Town is a peaceful town. No one should bring people from outside to cause violence, intimidate residents or disrupt our normal way of life simply because they are in town for one day of campaigns.”
Wambugu said the coming election should be a contest over policies, leadership and track records rather than threats and political intimidation.
“Political competition Must not make us enemies. We can disagree strongly, campaign vigorously and compete for every vote while still respecting each other and protecting the peace and unity of our people,” he said.
The confrontation comes as Jubilee seeks to re-establish itself in Mt Kenya ahead of 2027, while DCP continues to position Gachagua as a major political force in the region.
Wambugu has previously challenged suggestions that Jubilee is politically weak, insisting that the party remains a significant parliamentary force.
Wambugu said Jubilee would not sit back as other parties organise in the region, announcing plans for an extensive grassroots engagement programme led by the party’s presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i.
“As a party we are proud of our track record, and we have a good presidential candidate. We also know how to present our case to the people of Kenya confidently, even as we defend the democratic right of every other party to do exactly the same,” he said.
He also congratulated Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro for launching the People’s Party of Kenya, saying the emergence of new political parties would expand choices for voters.
But his central message remained a warning against political ownership of the region.
“Hakuna mtu anamiliki kura za watu. Kura ni za wananchi,” Wambugu said.
