In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Maina praised Gachagua for building DCP and establishing a political brand in the region.
“Give the devil his dues; Rigathi has done a lot to consolidate the Mountain block, to build a party and build a brand,” Maina said.
Her remarks mark a notable shift in tone from her previous criticism of the former Deputy President, while also signalling growing tensions within the Mount Kenya political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Maina turns criticism on Ndindi Nyoro
Rather than targeting Gachagua, Maina directed her criticism at Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, accusing him of political hypocrisy and attempting to weaken DCP by establishing his own political vehicle.
Nyoro recently launched the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) after leaving the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), positioning himself as part of the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Maina’s comments suggest that the emergence of competing political parties in the Mount Kenya region could intensify the contest for the region’s political support.
Gachagua has been actively building DCP structures across the region and positioning the party as a major political vehicle ahead of the 2027 election.
The former Deputy President has also pushed the “one party, one mountain and one agenda” message, with his allies seeking to consolidate Mount Kenya support behind DCP.
Nyoro, however, has maintained that his political ambitions should not divide the opposition and has said he would support another candidate if opposition leaders agree on a single challenger to President William Ruto.
The competing political projects are likely to shape the Mount Kenya succession battle as leaders seek to determine who will control the region’s political machinery ahead of 2027.
