Gachagua unveils party as Mt Kenya political turf war heats up

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, address residents of Kiserian yesterday.He appealed to the Maa community to rally behind his political party that he intends to launch next month. [Peterson Githaiga/Standard] As former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua unveils his political vehicle today, its launch comes amid various political developments that could shorten its honeymoon period. While he has branded it as a regional party for Mount Kenya, its officials set to be unveiled include former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who will serve as the Deputy Party Leader, former Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka, the National Organising Secretary; and Kajiado Senator Lenku Seki, the Party chairperson. Gatanga MP Edward Muriu is expected to take up the role of Secretary for Legal Affairs-a position he currently holds within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). His party, which sources indicate will be called the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), is being unveiled at a time when the National Assembly is expected to conclude the final phase of vetting the chairperson and commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Once the recruitment process is complete, by-elections will be held in several constituencies currently without representation. Among them is Mbeere North, the most recent seat to fall vacant following the appointment of Geoffrey Ruku to replace Justin Muturi as Cabinet Secretary for Human Capital and Public Service. Political analysts view the Mbeere North contest as a key litmus test for Gachagua. It is expected to reveal whether the Mt Kenya region is shifting away from President Ruto's UDA. The party cemented its dominance in the region on July 21, 2021, when it defeated former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party on his home turf. Gachagua was the lead campaigner in Kiambaa for Ruto's UDA, while former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu represented the ruling Jubilee Party. Mini poll Mugambi Mugo, a political commentator from Embu, noted that the Mbeere North by-election will present a delicate balancing act between Gachagua's new party and Muturi's Democratic Party (DP), which had sponsored Ruku to Parliament. "The mini poll in Embu will also shape the dynamics between Gachagua and other political leaders from the Mt Kenya region. Residents are keen to see whether the Opposition-including Gachagua and Muturi-will reach a consensus or if each party will field its candidate, a move that could hand UDA an easy win," Mugo said. Already, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has promised Gachagua a political showdown, announcing that he will personally campaign in Embu to rally support for UDA's candidate-one of seven contestants in the upcoming by-election. "Those who will be defeated will get state appointments because the government is big enough to accommodate everyone," Kindiki said on Monday. Even before Gachagua officially launches his party, tensions have been brewing, with several political parties in the region reluctant to rally behind him. For instance, the Jubilee Party has accused Gachagua of attempting to undermine other political outfits in the Mt Kenya region, with some members alleging he is pushing for party dictatorship. Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who has already fallen out with Gachagua, accused him of inciting the region against other parties-a move he says stifles democracy and violates the Constitution. "My ideological difference with Gachagua stemmed from his strong push to form a single political party to dominate the Mt Kenya region," Wambugu stated. "I was uncomfortable with this approach, as it implied dissolving existing parties-particularly Jubilee, a party I had been committed to for nine years." One party region According to the former MP, Mt Kenya should not allow itself to become a one-party region or adopt a style of politics resembling that of ODM. "In ODM, Raila is the law and the law is Raila," he said, adding, "Mt Kenya is too independent for that. We must embrace a diversity of voices and avoid being dictated to by one party or one leader." Wambugu further argued that having multiple political parties strengthens voter mobilization and turnout. "It ensures broader representation and inclusivity. When there's only one dominant party, internal fallout often leads to voter apathy, as those who feel sidelined may opt out of the process," he said. Meanwhile, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni noted that while the party has avoided responding to certain remarks from Gachagua's camp, they will not hesitate to address issues that directly concern Jubilee. "The best thing that will happen today is the announcement of the political party because we shall be responding to a structured party and not an amorphous grouping. We could not respond to certain issues because people could misinterpret us to be fighting the unity of purpose but we shall not be taking some pronouncements lightly," he said. Kioni criticized the formation of a regional party maintaining that such a move was against the Political Parties Act that warranted a formation of a party with a national outlook. "What that provision meant was the creation of a party that unites all Kenyans-not one that divides them along tribal lines," said Kioni in a phone interview. Another challenge facing Gachagua's party is the rise of briefcase parties in the Mt Kenya region, which are seen as an attempt to disorient his support base. Last week, the former Deputy President accused President Ruto of orchestrating the formation of smaller parties to fragment the region's substantial voter bloc ahead of the 2027 elections. "He (Ruto) has planned to form smaller parties and field candidates through them to divide our votes in the Mountain. But he will not succeed-we will not be divided," Gachagua declared. Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina echoed this sentiment, claiming there is a plot to confuse voters through the proliferation of political parties. "State machinery is sponsoring small parties in every county to mislead the electorate. We urge our people to stay alert and resist these schemes," she said.

Gachagua unveils party as Mt Kenya political turf war heats up

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