The Gachagua Kalenjin leaders’ Bomet rally turned into a massive show of support for the former deputy president as he took aim at local politicians in a fiery speech. Rigathi Gachagua climbed atop a black SUV in the crowded Mulot market in Bomet County and told the cheering throng that Kalenjin leaders fear President William Ruto, which explains why development has stalled in the region.
Video footage captured the scene on Sunday with thousands packed tight around the vehicles, many in colourful hats and jackets, waving hands and phones high. Gachagua, wearing a bright green jacket and cap, grabbed the microphone and let loose.
“Kalenjin leaders wanaogopa Ruto; ndio maana hamna maendeleo, ” he said to roars from the crowd. The words cut straight to frustrations over slow progress on roads, schools and water projects in an area that backed Ruto strongly in 2022.
The rally happened in Mulot, a busy trading centre in Bomet known for its markets and farming communities. Gachagua arrived with a convoy that struggled through the sea of people.
Security in vests stood watch as he spoke from the car roof, a common setup for roadside stops in Kenyan politics. The energy felt electric, with chants and whistles breaking out every few minutes.
Gachagua has toured Rift Valley spots lately, building his base after leaving office. He positions himself as a champion for ordinary folks against leaders who bend to power.
In Bomet he promised to keep fighting for a fair share of national resources and called on locals to demand more from their representatives. A lot of people agreed with the message by nodding and raising their fists.
After the event, videos on social media spread quickly. MutembeiTV and other accounts posted on the big crowd and shared important parts of the speech.
People left a lot of comments, some praising Gachagua’s bravery and others arguing over whether criticising leaders helps or divides. Some people joked that the crowd was as enormous as a big concert, while others were afraid about the political heat increasing before 2027.
For a long time, Kalenjin communities have felt stuck between national politics and their daily necessities. Ruto is from the area and got a lot of support, but some people feel he didn’t keep his promises about jobs and infrastructure. Gachagua uses that feeling to remind people of prior alliances and ask for a new push.
The rally stayed calm, even though it was big. There were no reports of fights or arrests. The police stayed out of the way and let the event happen. Gachagua ended with a thank you to the fans before the caravan slowly made its way through the enthusiastic crowd.
So far, people in the opposition haven’t said anything, but insiders say the speech hits close to home for Ruto. As elections get closer, these kinds of events test people’s loyalty and create support. Gachagua has no plans to slow down his excursions; he wants to cover more distance in the next few weeks.
The day was exciting for people in Bomet since they heard directly from a major figure. People who were trading stopped to listen, and kids climbed up on their shoulders to get a better look. There was a lot of conversation in the market for a long time following about the words and what they signify for the future.
This Gachagua Kalenjin leaders’ Bomet event is another step in the former deputy’s return to power. He keeps getting crowds with simple words that speak to people who feel left out. Time will tell if this leads to actual change or just additional protests, but the enthusiasm in Mulot felt real and ready for more.
Kenyans are keeping a careful eye on this to see if it leads to bigger changes or just local noise. It seems evident that Gachagua has found his voice again, and people are listening.
