Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stirred political debate after reportedly directing members of the Kikuyu community to avoid inviting singer Karangu Muraya and activist Martin Wa Janet to their public gatherings, following their attendance at a State House event.
According to accounts circulating in political circles, the directive is linked to a recent Akurino gathering at State House attended by President William Ruto, which some leaders interpreted as a signal of shifting loyalties within Mt Kenya politics.
Gachagua is said to have expressed concern that participation in such high-profile government events by cultural and online personalities could be seen as undermining opposition-aligned messaging in the region.
The remarks have sparked mixed reactions among Kikuyu political operatives, with some defending the position as political discipline while others argue it risks alienating influential entertainers and grassroots mobilisers.
Neither Karangu Muraya nor Martin Wa Janet has issued a formal response to the reported directive, though both have in the past maintained they engage with leaders across the political divide.
The development comes shortly after their appearance at the State House event, which brought together members of the Akurino faith and top government officials in Nairobi.
Observers say the incident highlights growing tensions in Mount Kenya politics, where loyalty tests and public endorsements are increasingly shaping alliances ahead of the next election cycle.
Political analysts note that such directives, if confirmed, reflect the widening struggle for influence between competing camps, as leaders position themselves for regional dominance.
As the debate continues, attention now turns to whether the alleged ban will be enforced on the ground or dismissed as political rhetoric in a highly charged environment.
The matter is expected to fuel further political conversations within Mt Kenya leadership circles as stakeholders weigh the balance between cultural influence, entertainment figures and shifting political alliances ahead of 2027.
