With days to May, when he promised to unveil his political party, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is a busy man, with leaders flocking to his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri..

On Friday, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi led a major delegation of 40 leaders to Gachagua’s home to declare their defection from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The Linturi delegation included former Igembe North MP Maoka Maore, former Tigania West MP David Karithi, and several former MCAs eager to make a comeback in the 2027 election.

Another delegation was co-led by Patrick Muriungi, one of the UDA coordinators in Meru during the last electioneering period.

Although the jury is still out on President Ruto’s grip in Meru County, analysts say the influx of leaders to Gachagua is a significant development in the region’s politics.

The President still enjoys the support of elected leaders in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, such as Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, who maintains that UDA support in the region is as strong as ever.

Linturi, credited with creating the 2022 UDA movement in Meru, is in bullish form, saying they were determined to form a strong movement for the next election. Buoyed by the delegations, Gachagua said, “It was a productive and inspiring meeting, as we delved into our vision and the significant role both counties will play in shaping the future of this movement.”

Gachagua, whose mother comes from Buuri Constituency in Meru, stated that people from the region were unhappy due to insecurity caused by cattle rustling, a poor business environment, and inadequate health and education systems.

“Our resolve for a better Kenya is unstoppable. Together, we will build a party that echoes the voices of all Kenyans, ensuring that everyone feels included and represented,” he said.

Speaking on Friday in Meru town, Linturi claimed that the President had gone against their shared beliefs and was making unilateral decisions without consulting.

“When the President took office and decided that he had the power and authority of the State, he became a dictator,” said Linturi.

He added that despite spending significant resources on his recent tour of the Gikuyu, Embu, and Meru Association (Gema) region, or Mt Kenya, Ruto had lost support in Mt Kenya East.