The planned tour of parts of the Rift Valley by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has caused political ripples in the region with a Member of Parliament warning the opposition leader not to set foot in the area.

Newly elected Emurua Dikirr MP David Keter of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has warned Mr Gachagua from setting foot in the constituency, two months after he succeeded former MP Johana Ngeno who died in a helicopter crash in Nandi County on February 28 2026.

It comes a week after Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot led MPs from the region stating that Mr Gachagua was free to tour the South Rift region, but should not imagine that the crowds he pulls would translate into votes for the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in the 2027 elections.

Read: Ruto allies to Gachagua: Welcome to the Rift, but…

President William Ruto is also expected to tour the South Rift region anytime from now, with earlier indications that he will be in Bomet, Kericho and Narok counties before the end of this month (August) to inspect ongoing development projects and unveil the completed ones.

Mr Gachagua has twice, in one month, revealed that he planned to tour the Rift Valley, starting with the South Rift – Bomet, Kericho, Narok -, then travel to the North Rift – Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot.

The DCP party leader said after the Rift valley leg of the tour, he will then focus on the Western Kenya region, seeking the support of the voters in the region ahead of the next general election as he markets his party and seeking to pull the rug from under the feet of President Ruto and the UDA party.

“I want to warn Mr Gachagua not to set foot in Emurua Dikirr Constituency as he is not welcome here. He should focus his energies elsewhere as this is a UDA party zone” Mr Keter said.

In the by-election, Mr Vincent Kibet Rotich, the DCP candidate garnered 10,760 votes to come in second place while Mr Keter won with 18,266 votes.

In the Narok Town civic by-election in November 2025, Mr Douglas Twala Masikonte the DCP candidate trounced UDA party candidate and former area Member of the County Assembly Robert Kanyinke Ole Kudate garnering 6,007 against 4,479 votes, in what has emboldened Mr Gachagua’s resolve to raid the South Rift region vote basket.

“There cannot be zoning of a region like Rift Valley where people are enlightened of their rights. Those seeking to block opposition leaders from campaigning must remember they cannot stop the resolve of the people to vote against the government” Mr Vincent Rotich (DCP), said on Sunday.

The outcome of the two by-elections in Narok county has caused jitters in the UDA party in a region that is expected to be President Ruto’s political bedrock, yet the people are asking serious questions about the government’s development agenda in the last four years.

Speaking on Saturday in his constituency, Mr Keter said that Mr Gachagua had repeatedly insulted members of the Kalenjin community in public forums while at the same time seeking their support ahead of the 2027 general election.

“It is unacceptable to us that Mr Gachagua has taken to pouring vitriol daily against President William Ruto and members of his Kalenjin community, calling them all sorts of names at every available opportunity” Mr Keter said.

Mr Keter stated “If he has a problem with President Ruto, what sins has the Kalenjin community committed against him? How can he even dare come seek support from us days after repeatedly insulting us? This is totally unacceptable and he is not welcome”

The MP said there were several development projects including roads, rural electrification and water that were being implemented by the national government in the area and the residents had no time for the opposition leaders.

Read: Power struggle in Mt Kenya as Gachagua is accused of 'tyranny'

Only a week ago, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot led a group of MPs from the region in stating that, like all other opposition politicians in the country and in the spirit of democracy, Mr Gachagua was welcome to campaign in the Rift Valley region.

Senator Cheruiyot in the company of – Bomet Woman Representative Linet Chepkorir, MPs – Victor Koech (Chepalungu), Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North), Richard Yegon (Bomet East), Julius Rutto (Kesses) and Hillary Koskei (Kipkelion West) said it was a taboo for members of the Kipsigis community to chase away visitors from their region.

“Recently Mr Gachagua announced he planned to tour the South Rift region for campaigns. I want to tell him that he is welcome to the region like any other leader. We are a humble and welcoming people” Senator Cheruiyot said in Chepalungu on August 1.

Senator Cheruiyot said “In our culture, we do not chase away visitors. We warmly welcome them to do their thing and leave in peace. We will turn out to cheer you up, but do not be mistaken that it will translate to votes in the (2027) general election”

“But Mr Gachagua should learn from the 2017 general election when the NASA team had a grand rally in Bomet town a few days to the election, but in the end President Uhuru Kenyatta garnered 95 percent of the vote in the county, a few days later” Senator Cheruiyot said.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago separately said Mr Gachagua and the opposition leaders should tour the Rift Valley but should not incite the people against each other.

“We want to tell Mr Gachagua never again will we as a people of the great Rift Valley be incited to violence. We will remain united and peaceful even when we do not agree politically” Mr Mandago said in the presence of President William Ruto in Uasin Gishu on August 2.

In the 1992, 1997 and 2007 general election, the Rift Valley witnessed politically instigated clashes that led to killing of hundreds of people, injuries and displacement. The region is one of the most cosmopolitan zones in the country.

Mr Gachagua is working to endear himself to members of the Kipsigis community.

“Like those of us in Mount Kenya, members of the Kipsigis community do not easily forgive the leaders who have betrayed them. They do not easily forget an injury as they are very loyal, independent minded and hardworking people among members of the Kalenjin community” Mr Gachagua said while hosting residents of Emurua Dikirr at his Wamunyoro home a month ago.

The DCP Party leader said it was unfortunate that the government had channeled most of the development projects to Nyanza and Western Kenya at the expense of those in the South Rift who voted almost to a man to the President in the last general election.

“I am happy those people are starting to question the President and ask for their fair share of development. In a bid to forestall a fall out, President Ruto has mobilized government resources to jumpstart some of the projects. It is a case of too little too late,” he said.

A number of road projects, an airport in Narok county, an airstrip in Itembe of Bomet county and another one at Kerenga in Kericho county, construction of three stadiums – Bomet, Kapkatet and Kericho are underway.

A South Rift Regional Referral hospital is set to be constructed in Londiani of Kericho county even though the site was controversially picked.

Majority of the residents of Kericho, Bomet and Narok who will benefit from the hospital preferred a central position, stating Londiani was far out of way for them.

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