Eyes on Gachagua and fresh outfit amid moves to entice Mt Kenya

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, during an interview with KTN at his Karen Residence on April 7,2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] After postponing the announcement of his political vehicle three times, Kenyans are now guardedly waiting to see whether or not former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will ultimately name his political party tomorrow. In preparation for the ceremony, Gachagua and his allies spent the better part of Tuesday evening in a closed-door meeting deliberating on who will hold which position in the party and how they shall keep their outfit intact devoid of infiltration by State operatives. Although Gachagua and his allies have remained tight-lipped on the name of the party, sources indicate the former second in command settled on the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), which was registered on February 3, this year. The party has green, brown and black colours, and its logo is that of a hand touching the ear signifying 'listening to the ground' and the slogan being Kazi na Haki. Members of the governing body include 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. Gachagua is seeking to popularise his party with a view of forming a coalition with his Opposition colleagues led by Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya) and former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, among others. As Gachagua seeks to dim President William Ruto's presence in Mt Kenya region, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been on a charm offensive through his empowerment drives targeting Mt Kenya region, which he is using events to entrench himself. Kindiki has from time to time rejected assertions by Gachagua, that he wields exclusive political authority over Mt Kenya region, maintaining that no single leader can dictate the region's political direction. He accused Gachagua of attempting to monopolise political influence in Mt Kenya. "He cannot purport to make decisions on behalf of the people of Mt Kenya. He doesn't own the people of the mountain. He cannot threaten us," Kindiki said in a recent event that saw a delegation from Kiambu visit his Karen residence. Yesterday, Kindiki maintained that they had refused to be drawn into premature politics but insisted that his camp understood politics more than Gachagua's. "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 because we don't know how to do politics. We are even better than those characters, they will find it very rough in the future as we engage them," Kindik said. The second in command has been crisscrossing to Nyeri, Embu, Nyandarua, Murang'a and Kiambu counties with the hope of drumming up support for President William Ruto. Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang'i and Eugene Wamalwa during an Interdenominational thanks giving and prayer at Wamunyoro in Nyeri County on May 04, 2025. [Denish Ochieng, Standard] Other activities that have coincided with Gachagua's clamour for a new party is the revival of Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) affiliated to Ruto's senior economic advisor Moses Kuria who has announced that the party will field candidates in the upcoming by-elections, after the swearing in of new IEBC commissioners. Kuria has also hinted at plans to revamp the party ahead of the 2027 General Election. "As we prepare to swear in the new IEBC, this party, which was founded August 17, 2021, is the party to watch. By-elections are looming. Battle Royale," said Kuria. This comes 3 years after the party wrote to the registrar of political parties seeking to merge with the ruling party in October 2022. "Chama Cha Kazi would like to issue notice to all the members pursuant to and in accordance with Article 10.0.1 (b) of the Chama Cha Kazi Constitution of the decision to merge Chama Cha Kazi with the United Democratic Alliance. Members are invited to file their submissions supporting or opposing the merger with the Secretary General within 21 days hereof," read the notice. Gachagua's former political advisor and Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has also ditched him and accused the former DP of trying to introduce party dictatorship in Mt Kenya region Ngunjiri now wants Mt Kenya region to uphold political independence, reject dictatorship, and embrace issue-based leadership. "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," Wambugu stated. According to the former MP, Mt Kenya must not allow itself to be reduced to a one-party region or fall into a style of politics similar to ODM's, where "Raila is the law and the law is Raila saying, "Mt Kenya is too independent for that. We must allow a diversity of voices and avoid being dictated by one party or one leader." In what could be seen as an open battlefront to his former boss, Wambugu defended the continued existence of historical political parties in the region such as the Democratic Party (DP), Party of National Unity (PNU), and Jubilee Party, which he said have played a key role in previous presidential victories. "What many people fail to understand is that having multiple political parties in a region actually strengthens voter mobilization and turnout, as it ensures broader representation and inclusivity. When there's only one dominant party, any internal fallout often leads to voter apathy, as those who feel excluded or sidelined may choose not to participate in the election," he said. Analysts believe the heightened political activities on the side of the government following Gachagua's political moves will ensure that his political fortunes dwindle. Kamau Mwangi, an analyst, noted, "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."

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