The interactions, which have drawn public attention, have left constituents seeking clarity on where Kahiga’s political loyalty lies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Kahiga hosted Rigathi Gachagua for a political rally in Nyeri on Friday, January 9, 2026, where he expressed cordial relations with the former deputy president.
Governor Kahiga hosted Rigathi Gachagua for a political rally in Nyeri on Friday, January 9, 2026, where he expressed cordial relations with the former deputy president.
Two days later, on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Kahiga accompanied President Ruto to a church service in Othaya, a move that prompted questions from Nyeri residents and political leaders.
During the service, local leaders, including Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, called on Kahiga to choose a clear political path.
"Governor, you are our leader, and you can't be confusing us with belonging to both sides. You can't be a watermelon. Let us have a stand for our county to make progress," Mukami told the governor, using a popular Kenyan metaphor to describe political indecision.
Similarly, Senator Wahome Wamatinga urged Kahiga to align decisively with President Ruto if he intended to support the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) camp rather than former Deputy President Gachagua’s DCP party.
In response, Kahiga clarified his stance, affirming his continued membership in UDA while emphasizing that his interactions with both leaders were based on official duties and political decorum.
"I have accompanied the president in every function in Nyeri. I voted for the president. He is my president while I am the governor; where is the confusion coming from? I am still with the president, and as the governor, I must welcome the president as we serve the people," Kahiga said.
The governor acknowledged his cordial relationship with Gachagua, who commands significant influence in the Mt Kenya Central region, but he emphasized that his primary responsibility remains serving the people of Nyeri County.
"Despite my working relationship with Gachagua, I am still a fully paid-up member of UDA. My focus at this moment is service to the Nyeri people, and I will discuss my political stance when the right time comes," he added, stressing the importance of separating official duties from political positioning.
Political analysts say Kahiga’s approach reflects a balancing act common among county leaders in strategic regions.
During the service, local leaders, including Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, called on Kahiga to choose a clear political path.
"Governor, you are our leader, and you can't be confusing us with belonging to both sides. You can't be a watermelon. Let us have a stand for our county to make progress," Mukami told the governor, using a popular Kenyan metaphor to describe political indecision.
Similarly, Senator Wahome Wamatinga urged Kahiga to align decisively with President Ruto if he intended to support the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) camp rather than former Deputy President Gachagua’s DCP party.
In response, Kahiga clarified his stance, affirming his continued membership in UDA while emphasizing that his interactions with both leaders were based on official duties and political decorum.
"I have accompanied the president in every function in Nyeri. I voted for the president. He is my president while I am the governor; where is the confusion coming from? I am still with the president, and as the governor, I must welcome the president as we serve the people," Kahiga said.
The governor acknowledged his cordial relationship with Gachagua, who commands significant influence in the Mt Kenya Central region, but he emphasized that his primary responsibility remains serving the people of Nyeri County.
"Despite my working relationship with Gachagua, I am still a fully paid-up member of UDA. My focus at this moment is service to the Nyeri people, and I will discuss my political stance when the right time comes," he added, stressing the importance of separating official duties from political positioning.
Political analysts say Kahiga’s approach reflects a balancing act common among county leaders in strategic regions.
Nyeri, situated in Mt Kenya, is a politically sensitive county where alignment with major national leaders can influence development funding, party loyalty, and voter mobilization ahead of elections.
By maintaining ties with both Ruto and Gachagua, Kahiga appears to be positioning himself as a neutral yet influential figure, ensuring he retains leverage regardless of how the national political landscape shifts.
By maintaining ties with both Ruto and Gachagua, Kahiga appears to be positioning himself as a neutral yet influential figure, ensuring he retains leverage regardless of how the national political landscape shifts.
Analysts suggest that this neutrality may also allow him to mediate or broker alliances in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
However, some critics argue that the governor’s interactions with multiple political camps could be perceived as opportunistic, raising questions about his commitment to party loyalty.
However, some critics argue that the governor’s interactions with multiple political camps could be perceived as opportunistic, raising questions about his commitment to party loyalty.
Local leaders have urged him to make a clear declaration to prevent confusion among constituents and grassroots party supporters.
"If leaders do not clarify where they stand, it becomes difficult for voters to make informed decisions. Nyeri residents deserve to know if the governor is fully aligned with UDA or entertaining other factions," said a political commentator in Nyeri, requesting anonymity.
Kahiga, meanwhile, has reassured his constituents that his political decisions will prioritize county development, emphasizing that Nyeri’s growth and service delivery will not be compromised by national political alignments.
"Let us differentiate times and seasons. We must know when it is time for work and when it is time for politics. Our priority should be supporting the president in achieving his agenda while ensuring Nyeri progresses," Kahiga stated.
"If leaders do not clarify where they stand, it becomes difficult for voters to make informed decisions. Nyeri residents deserve to know if the governor is fully aligned with UDA or entertaining other factions," said a political commentator in Nyeri, requesting anonymity.
Kahiga, meanwhile, has reassured his constituents that his political decisions will prioritize county development, emphasizing that Nyeri’s growth and service delivery will not be compromised by national political alignments.
"Let us differentiate times and seasons. We must know when it is time for work and when it is time for politics. Our priority should be supporting the president in achieving his agenda while ensuring Nyeri progresses," Kahiga stated.
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