Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has sharply criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over claims that the Mt Kenya region can marshal more than seven million votes ahead of the 2027 General Election, intensifying a growing political standoff within Kenya Kwanza ranks.
Speaking after Gachagua’s remarks during a thanksgiving tour in Ol Kalou on Friday, Sudi termed the figures “wild proclamations” that do not reflect electoral realities.
Gachagua had asserted that the region—often referred to politically as Mt Kenya—holds decisive voting power, claiming he could mobilise over seven million votes against President William Ruto.
However, Sudi disputed the numbers, arguing they are inconsistent with official data from the 2022 elections.
According to the MP, the total votes cast across Mt Kenya counties in the last General Election stood at approximately 3.8 million, combining ballots for both President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“Seven million votes—where are they coming from?” Sudi posed, questioning the feasibility of such projections.
He added that even after factoring in cosmopolitan counties such as Nakuru, Laikipia, and Kiambu, the numbers remain significantly below the threshold cited by Gachagua.
The legislator further referenced voter registration trends, noting that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has since registered about 527,000 new voters in the region.
Based on this increase, Sudi maintained that the total voting bloc would still not exceed four million votes under realistic turnout scenarios.
“Even assuming 100 per cent voter turnout—which is practically impossible—there is no mathematical basis for reaching seven million votes,” he said.
Sudi also accused Gachagua’s allies of manipulating figures by conflating registered voters with actual votes cast, a tactic he claimed is used to exaggerate political influence.
He emphasised the need for consistency in political discourse, urging leaders to distinguish between voter registration statistics and turnout data.
The exchange underscores deepening divisions within the ruling coalition, with leaders increasingly engaging in public disputes over regional political strength and succession politics ahead of 2027.
Gachagua, who has positioned himself as a key voice in Mt Kenya politics, has yet to formally respond to Sudi’s latest remarks.
His earlier statements in Ol Kalou were seen by analysts as part of a broader strategy to consolidate regional support following recent by-election victories linked to his allies.
As political realignments begin to take shape, the debate over numbers signals a wider contest for influence in one of Kenya’s most vote-rich regions.