Rigathi Gachagua Warns KRA Over Tax Demands in Mt Kenya

• Gachagua warns KRA against targeting politicians through tax demands.
• He accuses KRA Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi of being on a personal vendetta against him.
• Gachagua's remarks come amid heightened political tensions between him and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
• The Mt Kenya region is expected to play a decisive role in the 2027 presidential contest.

"KRA, unless they arrest me, I have nothing. Maybe they can take Pastor Dorcas or our children," Gachagua said.

Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has intensified his political campaign in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking to a crowd, Gachagua warned that he would not support politicians seeking elective positions under DCP's banner without his backing. This statement comes as the contest for the Mt Kenya vote is heating up, with various parties and politicians vying for influence in the region.

Gachagua's remarks have been met with skepticism by some analysts, who see them as an attempt to consolidate power within the opposition camp. However, others argue that Gachagua's strategy of building DCP and cultivating alliances with other opposition formations is a necessary step towards establishing a unified front against President Ruto's administration.

The Mt Kenya region has become increasingly fragmented since the 2022 elections, with various politicians seeking to position themselves as leaders of the region. The competition for influence in Mt Kenya is not only between government and opposition but also among politicians within and outside the opposition over who will control the political machinery capable of delivering the Mt Kenya vote.

Gachagua has accused the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) of targeting political opponents through tax demands. He claims that he has been told that KRA is looking for him, but maintains that there is nothing left to take. This statement raises questions about the use of tax pressure as a tool of political influence in Mt Kenya.

Gachagua's allegations come amid heightened political tensions between him and the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he served in before his removal from office in 2024. The former Deputy President has also accused KRA Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi of being on a personal vendetta against him.

The use of tax pressure as a tool of political influence is not new in Kenya's politics. However, Gachagua's remarks have sparked concerns about the potential for abuse of power by those in positions of authority.

The Mt Kenya region is expected to play a decisive role in the 2027 presidential contest. However, the region's political landscape has become increasingly complex, with various politicians vying for influence and power.

Gachagua's strategy of building DCP and cultivating alliances with other opposition formations has been met with skepticism by some analysts, who see it as an attempt to consolidate power within the opposition camp. However, others argue that this approach is necessary to establish a unified front against President Ruto's administration.

The competition for influence in Mt Kenya is not only between government and opposition but also among politicians within and outside the opposition over who will control the political machinery capable of delivering the Mt Kenya vote.

Lawyers advising clients on the 2027 elections should be aware of the potential for tax pressure to be used as a tool of political influence in Mt Kenya, and advise their clients accordingly.

Source: Original reporting via 'KRA, unless you arrest me, I have nothing,' Gachagua says