After multiple delays, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to finally unveil his political party on Thursday, May 15, stirring fresh dynamics within the Mt Kenya political landscape.
Sources close to the former DP have revealed that he is set to launch the Democracy Citizens Party (DCP), a political vehicle registered on February 3. Although the party’s official name has not been publicly confirmed, insiders say the colours-green, brown and black-and the logo of a hand to the ear, symbolising attentiveness to the people’s voices, are finalised.
The slogan, Kazi na Haki, is also expected to be unveiled at the ceremony.
Gachagua and his allies held closed-door discussions on Tuesday, focusing on structuring party leadership and strategising on how to safeguard the organisation from possible State interference.
The governing council is said to include notable figures such as Thomas Ratemo, Ado Yiembo, Mably Owino, Hussein Athman, Laura Njeri, Abdifatah Abdullahi, Joy Gatugi, Jeremiah Mong’eri, Joel Sang, John Maranga, Miriam Fredina Mariki and Brenda Banjira Omusinda.
The former Deputy President aims to rally support around DCP and position it within a broader coalition alongside opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Meanwhile, current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has intensified his presence in the Mt Kenya region through what he terms “empowerment drives”, seeking to consolidate support for President William Ruto.
Prof Kindiki has dismissed Gachagua’s influence over the region, stating, “He cannot purport to make decisions on behalf of the mountain. He cannot threaten us.”
Flexing political muscle, Kindiki added during a meeting in Kiambu, “There are people who want to draw us into politics, but we have refused-not because we are afraid, but because time for politics has not yet arrived. It is not that we do not know how to play politics. We are even better than those characters. They will find it very rough in the future as we engage them.”
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At the same time, Moses Kuria, Ruto’s economic adviser, has revived Chama Cha Kazi (CCK), signalling it will participate in upcoming by-elections, Kuria remarked. “This party, founded on August 17, 2021, is the party to watch, By-elections are looming. Battle Royale.”
Although CCK had previously sought to merge with UDA in October 2022, Kuria’s recent moves suggest renewed political ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua’s former adviser, Ngunjiri Wambugu, has criticised his ex-boss’s leadership style, accusing him of promoting a form of political dominance.
“My ideological difference with Gachagua arose from his strong push to form a single political party to dominate the Mt Kenya region. I was uncomfortable with this approach, as it implied dissolving existing parties- particularly Jubilee, a party I had been a committed member of for nine years,” said the former Nyeri Town MP.
Political analysts suggest the government may now move to neutralise Gachagua’s influence by courting his allies and undermining his ability to rally public support.
“We shall now see the government trying to reach out to Gachagua’s confidants and the MPs who support him to drive a narrative that he can’t work with the people well,” said political commentator Kamau Mwangi.”
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