Democratic Congress Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta of "betraying" the Mt Kenya community, ahead of the November 27 by-election.

• Gachagua claimed Uhuru Kenyatta failed to fully disclose Ruto's character before the 2022 General Election.
• He stated his fallout with Ruto stemmed from a disagreement over a "troubling plan targeting young people," alleging that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki pressed him to support "the killing of youth."
• Gachagua emphasized he feels compelled to speak out to avoid being judged harshly by history for what he perceives as Ruto's dangerous leadership style, particularly concerning extrajudicial killings.

The upcoming by-elections in Kenya are poised to become a significant political battleground, serving as a "litmus test" for the popularity contest between President William Ruto and his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. This contest will reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.

• Gachagua claims control of the Mt Kenya region, which delivered 2.9 million votes to Ruto in the 2022 General Election.
• President Ruto's elevation of Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruuku into the Cabinet is seen as a move to challenge or validate these claims.
• The by-elections will provide a crucial indicator of public sentiment and political shifts.

Upcoming by-elections in Kenya will set the stage for a political contest between President William Ruto and his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, signaling shifts in the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election. This showdown will test Gachagua's claims of control over the Mt Kenya region.

• Gachagua claimed control over the Mt Kenya region, which delivered 2.9 million votes to Ruto in the 2022 General Election.
• President Ruto elevated Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruuku into the Cabinet, a move seen as a test of Gachagua's influence.
• The by-elections will serve as a popularity contest between Ruto and Gachagua.