Meru politics has exploded into a fierce digital contest after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua endorsed former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi for the 2027 Meru gubernatorial race — triggering heated reactions from leaders, influencers and voters across the county.
Linturi recently declared he would run for governor, saying he had listened to the voice of the people across Meru.
“I will be offering myself to you, great people of Meru, to ask you to support me to be the Governor of Meru come 2027,” he said while announcing his bid.
His ambitions gained a major boost after Gachagua publicly backed him, urging Meru leaders allied to his political movement to rally behind the former senator.
But the endorsement has immediately intensified the battle for the county’s top seat, which is already attracting heavyweight contenders including incumbent governor, Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia and former governor Peter Munya.
Governor Mutuma appeared to fire back at Linturi in recent remarks circulating widely online.
“We will not tolerate leaders like Mithika Linturi who are dividing the people of Meru,” Mutuma said in comments reported by local media.
The governor’s allies quickly rallied behind him, with supporters trending the hashtag #MeruDeservesBetter on Facebook, insisting that Mutuma should retain the seat in 2027.
Meanwhile, former governor Peter Munya has already made it clear that he intends to return to county politics.
“For avoidance of doubt, I am focusing on running for the Meru governor seat in the coming elections,” Munya said in an earlier statement dismissing speculation about seeking other government roles.
On social media, reactions have been explosive.
Popular Meru political commentator Ntung’u Karimi wrote on X:
“Meru 2027 will be the mother of all political battles. Linturi, Munya and Mutuma are all heavyweight politicians.”
Digital influencer Antony Mmbatia questioned Gachagua’s move, posting:
“Endorsements from national politicians will not decide Meru’s future. The people will.”
Another well-known Meru blogger Dennis Kiogora added on Facebook:
“Gachagua backing Linturi changes the equation. But Munya is still a formidable strategist in Meru politics.”
Political observers now say the county is heading into one of the most competitive gubernatorial contests in Mt Kenya.
With Linturi armed with Gachagua’s political backing, Mutuma holding the power of incumbency and Munya banking on his past record as Meru’s first governor, the race for the county’s top job is shaping up to be a bruising three-way battle.
And if the storm already raging on social media is anything to go by, Meru’s 2027 governor contest has only just begun.
