Gachagua Finally Explains Why He Asked John Methu To Resign

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed a political plan he says he had discussed with Nyandarua Senator John Methu that could have triggered a major by-election battle between his political camp and President William Ruto’s UDA party.

Gachagua said he had persuaded Methu to resign as Nyandarua senator so that a fresh election could be held. According to him, the main aim was to test the political strength of the two sides in the region through a direct contest.

The revelation has brought new attention to the political relationship between Gachagua and Methu, as well as the wider rivalry between Gachagua’s DCP and Ruto’s UDA.

Speaking during an engagement in the United States on October 3, 2026, Gachagua explained that he wanted Methu to step down and give the two political camps an opportunity to compete for the Senate seat.

“I had actually persuaded Senator John Methu to resign his seat as Nyandarua senator, so there is a by-election. I wanted us to test ourselves,” Gachagua said, according to reports.

Gachagua said the situation changed following the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, which resulted in a parliamentary by-election in the constituency.

The Ol Kalou contest eventually became an important political test, with candidates associated with Gachagua’s DCP and Ruto’s UDA competing for the seat.

DCP candidate Sammy Waweru Ngiotho won the election, while UDA’s Samwel Muchina Nyagah finished behind him.

Methu was among the politicians who campaigned for the DCP candidate during the contest. He has since taken on a prominent role in Gachagua’s political movement.

Gachagua’s latest remarks therefore offer an insight into a political contest that he says he had wanted to create before events took a different turn.

The revelation also comes as political parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Mount Kenya remaining an important area of political activity.

For Methu, the proposed resignation did not happen, meaning he remained in the Senate. Gachagua’s account instead shows that the idea of a Nyandarua Senate by-election had been considered as a possible way of testing the strength of the two rival political camps.

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