Maina Kamanda to Uhuru: Let Gachagua lead Kikuyus

By Wanderi Kamau

Former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda has called on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to step back and allow former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to consolidate the Kikuyu community ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kamanda made the remarks on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at his Nyandarua home, just a day after Uhuru presided over a Jubilee Party Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi.

His appeal comes amid rising political realignments in the Mount Kenya region, where questions of leadership and community unity are emerging once again.

“Mt Kenya unity has always produced leaders”

Kamanda said history had shown that unity in the Mt Kenya region has consistently produced respected national leaders.

“Mt Kenya’s unity is the one that brought Mwai Kibaki, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Uhuru Kenyatta,” he stated. “The same unity is the one which will enable the Kikuyu community to be respected as it will portray that the community is united and has a leader.”

Drawing from his political experience, Kamanda urged Uhuru to give Gachagua room to take charge.

“I would like to beseech people, even Uhuru. I have been Starehe MP for close to 20 years. And because I left matters pertaining the Starehe seat, if I would start going there to dictate who is supposed to be elected there, there is a likelihood for I being abused by even the children which I have given birth,” Kamanda said.

“A wise person leaves the scene…I can’t go there to dictate and show direction.”

Kamanda recalled his past involvement in championing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a process spearheaded by Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga. While defending his support for the initiative, he suggested that leaders must know when to step aside for the sake of their communities.

“I was one of the leaders who crisscrossed the country supporting the BBI. Uhuru promised us we would still get what we were in pursuit of. However, when a wise man realizes that his children might perish …and might be eaten by a dangerous animal, he first kills the animal.”

“Uhuru risks tainting his legacy”

The veteran politician warned that Uhuru’s political comeback could damage both his personal reputation and the Kenyatta family legacy.

“We urge Uhuru with due respect to accept the current leader of the Agikuyu people,” Kamanda said. “If Uhuru tries to come back to campaign…he will just taint himself. He will even cheapen the Kenyattas legacy and respect.”

He defended Gachagua’s record, insisting the former Deputy President had worked to consolidate the Kikuyu vote and should be allowed to continue doing so.

“Gachagua has done nothing wrong. He has consolidated the Kikuyu community. Even the likes of [Fred] Matiang’i should go back to their backyards to consolidate the Gusiii vote. The way Kalonzo[Musyoka] is with his Kamba community, the way [Eugene]Wamalwa is with his Abaluhya people, Gachagua should also consolidate the Agikuyu community. Uhuru should allow Gachagua to unite the Kikuyus,” Kamanda emphasized.

“He should not interfere. Even if he tries to interfere, he won’t manage. He will just taint his name. Anyone who wants the Kikuyu votes currently, should seek permission from Gachagua.”

According to Kamanda, the Kikuyu community has always rallied behind one political figure at a time, and history should guide the present generation.

“When someone’s term ends, people should accept. There is no time when the Kikuyu community has had two leaders at the same time. Let’s people accept to have one leader.”

“Other communities should consolidate their votes”

Kamanda also took aim at former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, questioning his moves to court voters in Central Kenya while neglecting his Gusii base.

“We don’t know why Matiang’i is coming for Agikuyu votes in Central Kenya before getting the Gusii vote,” he posed.

The former legislator also questioned Uhuru’s political stand, after his remarks that Jubilee Party is still in the Azimio Coalition.

“Yesterday, he [Uhuru] said that he is still in Azimio. We know that ‘Baba’ (Raila) is the one with Azimio. Raila told us that he spoke to Uhuru before joining Ruto. Baba was handed his five cabinet slots. When Ruto went to Ichaweri, Uhuru got three cabinet slots (Mutahi Kagwe, Lee and Kabogo).”

Kamanda suggested there was more behind the scenes of political negotiations than the public had been told.

“I don’t want to elaborate more…but I will once again tell you about what I know in an in-depth way,” he remarked.