Nakuru becomes new battleground as UDA moves to counter Gachagua's forays

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's DCP growing influence in Nakuru has sparked a series of UDA political mobilisation aimed at countering the wave. [File, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's planned tour of Nakuru County has triggered a series of high-level political "consultative meetings" among United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politicians. The move appears to be a strategy by the ruling party to maintain its political grip on the county and counter Gachagua's influence. Since the launch of the Democracy for Citizen Party (DCP), Nakuru has undergone a significant political shift and realignment, with a particular focus on preparations for the 2027 General Election. The county has been on tenterhooks, waiting to see whether DCP will upset UDA's position as the dominant political party in the cosmopolitan region. Out of the 11 elective seats in the county, 10 were clinched by leaders who vied on the UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election. The DCP threat to UDA dominance has sparked a series of political mobilisations aimed at countering the wave. Ahead of Gachagua's planned visit in February, a group of UDA leaders, under the leadership of President William Ruto's ally and businessman Sam Mburu, have been engaging in political mobilisation to counter the opposition party. Mburu, the spouse of Governor Susan Kihika, has brought together political players, including elected leaders, to work on a plan involving strategic efforts to organise, activate and direct voters and supporters in order to diminish DCP's influence. Mburu, known for his deep pockets and immense influence, was actively involved in the United Republican Party (URP) campaigns in 2013. He played a key role in establishing a youth league in Nairobi, which was later integrated into former President Uhuru Kenyatta's and Ruto's presidential campaigns. In 2022, Mburu played an integral role in the campaigns of his spouse, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, and other UDA candidates who went on to win various seats in the county. He managed to stage a well-oiled campaign characterised by class and the use of luxurious cars. Despite maintaining a low profile outside active politics, Mburu is credited with UDA's 2022 dominance in Nakuru. Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and her husband, businessman Sam Mburu, have been working to ensure UDA maintains political grip on the county. [File, Satndard] Although reluctant to address The Standard on strategy and UDA plans ahead of the 2027 elections, his allies acknowledged his role in re-energising the party and organising the current consultative meetings. "We have been working on a strategy to consolidate our voting base. We deliberately began this process early to ensure our ground is solid," said Hassan Duale, a UDA-nominated MCA and an ally of Mburu. Duale, who is privy to the strategy, said the team is not only focused on voter mobilisation but also on counter-movements to challenge the opponent's agenda. He described Mburu as their leader, keen to ensure that UDA maintains its grip on Nakuru politics. "Mburu is our regional 'kingpin'. He is reliable and committed to making sure that Nakuru remains firmly behind President Ruto up to 2027," he said. Duale revealed that the party still views the county as a key battleground for both the ruling party and the opposition. A significant portion of Kikuyu voters in the county, who backed President Ruto's presidential bid, had begun drifting away following the impeachment of Gachagua. Nakuru East Member of Parliament David Gikaria, who is among the leaders involved in efforts to keep the county under UDA, acknowledged that DCP has brought a new challenge to the region. However, he expressed optimism that the party would retain all its elective positions. "We are well prepared for the DCP challenge. I am confident that all the leaders elected in Nakuru County on the UDA ticket will win re-election in the 2027 General Election," he said. Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tonui said they are determined to pull out all stops to ensure Nakuru does not slip from UDA control, considering its strategic location in the heart of the Rift Valley, the party's political stronghold. "As we move towards the next election, Nakuru is poised to be a major focus for UDA, DCP and Jubilee political parties. That is why we have come together under Mr Mburu to ensure we maintain our political grip," Tonui said. The county has slightly over one million voters, according to the 2022 Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) data, with a significant number drawn from the Kikuyu community, which traditionally votes alongside its counterparts in the Mount Kenya region. Nakuru is third in voter registration after Nairobi and Kiambu counties, according to IEBC data. Hostility in the Mt Kenya region towards Ruto's administration has caused ripples in Nakuru, leading some Kikuyu voters and their leaders to gravitate towards DCP, while others await political signals from former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The UDA team is aware of the political dynamics in the county and has already declared its intention to engage voters. County Woman MP Liza Chelule acknowledged that new voting patterns are likely to emerge but expressed confidence that the ground remains firm for UDA. "Our party will be selling a track record of government and its achievements to the people. We have begun doing that since the President has fulfilled most of what he promised Kenyans," she said. Nevertheless, Chelule noted that ethnicity is likely to influence voter decisions in the next election. "The Kalenjin community constitutes the second-largest voting bloc, alongside substantial numbers of Luo, Kisii and Luhya voters, as well as smaller populations of Maasai, Kamba, Somali and Turkana voters. This is something we cannot ignore," she said. Political pundits anticipate that new voting trends will emerge in Nakuru as divisions widen, threatening the fragile political alliance between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities. Despite the inroads made by DCP, Governor Kihika has vowed to remain loyal to Ruto. "I will not leave Ruto for Wamunyoro, never!" she declared during consultative meetings with opinion leaders in Bahati. In a bid to galvanise support for Ruto, Kihika has been reaching out to traders, elected leaders and the youth through engagement forums. She has held a series of consultative meetings aimed at shoring up support for the party, the President and herself. The emergence of DCP signals a new chapter in the county's political landscape. Several gubernatorial candidates and aspirants for other elective positions have also expressed intentions to contest on DCP or Jubilee party tickets. Geoffrey Mwangi, the former Chief Executive Officer of the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), is among the first to declare his intention to unseat Governor Kihika on a DCP ticket in 2027. Mwangi, one of the organisers of the Gachagua tour, said the party is steadily gaining traction, particularly among aspirants and grassroots actors seeking a fresh, people-centred political alternative. "The DCP message of citizen-driven leadership, dignity in governance and inclusivity is resonating well with the people of Nakuru, and interest in the party has grown organically over the past few weeks," Mwangi claimed. He revealed that the party has attracted aspirants for various elective positions across eight of the 11 sub-counties. "Notably, areas such as Nakuru Town East and West, Naivasha, Njoro, Bahati, Subukia and Gilgil have shown strong early engagement," Mwangi said. He noted that in these constituencies, community champions are helping to establish a foothold for the party's presence. Mwangi argued that DCP is poised to unseat the current crop of leaders elected under the UDA party in 2022. "There is no doubt that DCP will be the preferred political party in the region. Nakuru has always voted with Mt Kenya in the previous three general elections, and 2027 will not be different," he said. On the other hand, areas such as Kuresoi North and South and Rongai constituencies have shown slower uptake, largely due to entrenched political loyalties and general cautiousness towards emerging formations. Mwangi is working with Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, DCP Nakuru County Secretary Simon Ole Sankale, and former head of the Government Delivery Service Unit Peter Mbae to ensure voters in Nakuru rally behind DCP. Dr Mbae has declared interest in the Nakuru Senate seat and has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the Ruto administration. He has been a frequent guest analyst on vernacular TV and radio stations with large audiences in Nakuru, articulating his agenda for the county and holding the national government accountable. The trio has been instrumental in DCP making significant inroads in Subukia, Bahati, Naivasha and Gilgil constituencies, where the party's presence is strongly felt and enjoys considerable support.

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