In a dramatic move set to shake up Kenya’s political scene, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that his new political party will be unveiled on May 15, with a full-scale launch scheduled days later.
The party, already registered, aims to challenge President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the upcoming by-elections.
The move marks Gachagua’s most overt political manoeuvre since falling out with President Ruto, with insiders suggesting the former DP is positioning himself as a counterforce ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to his close allies, the new party will reveal its name, slogan, and colours during the initial unveiling in mid-May, followed by a grand political jamboree later in the month to formally introduce it to the public.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, a key ally of Gachagua, confirmed the timeline. “We are going to unveil the new party on May 15. This will be followed by an official launch on May 29,” he told reporters.
The announcement comes after months of speculation, as Gachagua had originally planned to unveil the party at the start of the year. However, he later delayed the launch, citing what he described as “overwhelming interests that I have received from regions”.
Momentum appears to be building around the new outfit, with leaders already eyeing the upcoming by-elections as a critical testing ground. Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, popularly known as Mejja Donk, revealed plans were already under way to field candidates in key constituencies under the yet-to-be-named party.
“We are actively preparing. The groundwork has already begun,” Gathiru said, adding that the outfit is expected to contest several pending by-elections as it seeks to establish national presence.
The political tremors extend beyond parliamentary candidates. Gathiru hinted that some elected leaders — particularly from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region — were ready to part ways with UDA in favour of Gachagua’s vehicle, despite the risk of losing their seats.
In February, Gachagua revealed that up to 139 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) had expressed willingness to resign from UDA and seek a fresh mandate under the new party. He claimed the region had become increasingly disillusioned with Ruto’s leadership, rendering it “uneatable” for those aligned with UDA to continue serving under its banner.
“We are going to force a little general election after IEBC is constituted because our people do not want to live a lie. Mt Kenya residents are honest people, they are people of integrity, and they don’t know how to pretend,” Gachagua said during a recent political forum.
Gachagua also issued a rallying call to his supporters currently holding elective office, urging them to take the bold step of resigning and seeking fresh legitimacy from their constituents.
“I am encouraging my MCAs, MPs, and Senators — the ones who make that very brave decision because that is very courageous — to leave a seat you have been elected and go back to the people. I want to assure them, the way I am listening to our people, any leader who makes that decision will be re-elected with a very serious majority and they will be heroes of our people, and their politics will prosper for decades to come,” he said.
Analysts suggest that the upcoming by-elections may serve as a referendum not only on the UDA’s popularity but also on Gachagua’s ability to rally disgruntled leaders and voters behind a new political force.
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