Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (in red suit) with other officials during the unveiling ceremony of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s unveiling of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as his vehicle for the 2027 General Election marks the beginning of numerous battles the man from Wamunyoro is expected to face as he works to establish his new political movement.
While Mr Gachagua has declared that his is a national party with a deputy party leader from Kakamega in Cleophas Malala and a secretary-general from Nyanza in Hesbon Obanga, his biggest initial battle is on his primary focus — the populous Mt Kenya region — which catapulted his former boss, Dr William Ruto the presidency in 2022. The former DP hopes to use this to deny the President a second term.
Political commentator and scholar Prof Peter Kagwanja observed, “Mr Gachagua’s walk through the 2027 minefield has officially begun, and he better be prepared to survive—or sink.”
Prof Kagwanja, however, said his main concern was not about party launches or slogans, but whether such moves ultimately benefit the nation and its citizens.
“We can launch as many parties as the law permits and make all the speeches we want. But how does the country benefit? How are the people uplifted?” He posed.
As Mr Gachagua stakes his claim on the political landscape — a move Prof Kagwanja calls “an important milestone, though not yet convincing” — several other key challenges lie ahead. These include the looming Mbeere North by-election, the lingering influence of Uhuru Kenyatta, and President Ruto’s incumbency.
Battle for supremacy
According to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology lecturer Charles Mwangi, the by-election could be a major trap for both Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Mr Gachagua, who are embroiled in a fierce court battle for political legitimacy.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and interim Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala pose for a photograph after unveiling their new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Their rivalry escalated after Mr Gachagua was impeached in October last year, and Prof Kindiki was chosen to replace him — a move that triggered the ongoing court fight.
While Prof Kindiki is keen to consolidate the Mt Kenya vote in order to secure his running mate position for 2027, Mr Gachagua aims to wrest that support away and use it against the president.
The by-election is shaping up as a critical test: a win for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) could solidify Prof Kindiki’s position, while a victory for Mr Gachagua’s new party would offer him a significant political boost. Another concern for Mr Gachagua is the Uhuru Kenyatta factor in Mt Kenya, which appears to be evolving into a major obstacle ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analyst Festus Wangwe noted that the two Mt Kenya heavyweights seem to be reading from different scripts.
“On the surface, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua appear to lead separate political camps. Mr Gachagua seems to favour Kalonzo Musyoka as a presidential candidate, while Mr Kenyatta’s allies lean toward former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i,” he said.
Mr Wangwe added that Mr Gachagua is focused on uniting Mt Kenya and the Lower Eastern region to build a voting bloc of around 8 million, from which he can seek additional swing votes in other regions.
“On the other hand, Mr Kenyatta’s loyalists are split between supporting Dr Matiang’i and President Ruto — an internal division that could present a major challenge for Mr Gachagua,” he said.
Fierce competition
Additional hurdles include competition from Ruto loyalists in Mt Kenya, rival political parties, the need to form national alliances, campaign financing, and the organisation of free and fair nominations.
Ultimately, political pundits agree that the biggest challenge will be securing votes within whichever coalition Mr Gachagua ends up joining.
According to The Service Party leader Mr Mwangi Kiunjuri, Mr Gachagua’s move is not particularly ground-breaking.
“He’s just joined the club. Some of us founded parties when we were half his age,” Mr Kiunjuri said, adding that Mr Gachagua should brace for fierce competition from seasoned political players.
“Mt Kenya will never be home to one-party dictatorship. We don’t put all our eggs in one basket,” he declared.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meets his supporters after unveiling his new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
He warned Mr Gachagua that founding, running, and sustaining a political party is no walk in the park. “His excitement will end in tears—especially in the Mbeere North by-election, where we intend to teach him some political lessons.”
Prof Kindiki has vowed to camp in Mbeere North until the government-backed candidate secures victory.
“We have eight government-aligned candidates. Only one can win. I suggest you pick seven, bring them to me, and I’ll fix them with government positions so that we can face the competition with one strong candidate,” Prof Kindiki told Embu County elders during a meeting in Siakago.
However, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji criticised Prof Kindiki’s remarks, calling them an “abuse of power, office, and privilege”.
“You and your boss know that Embu County only supports what is fair, just, and progressive,” Mr Mukunji said, adding that the by-election would reflect grassroots aspirations.
Veteran administrator Joseph Kaguthi expressed concern over rising political violence in the Mt Kenya region.
“We’ve seen Mr Gachagua and his supporters confronted by gangs. Some of President Ruto’s loyalists have also been denied the right to associate and speak freely,” he said.
Mr Kaguthi warned that this escalating anarchy could derail Kenya’s democratic gains.
He said that all candidates should be allowed to campaign freely and that the national discourse reflect the principle of letting the people decide.
Mr Kaguthi also decried the use of the justice system as a political weapon.
“Since independence, we’ve seen courts, police, anti-corruption bodies, and the taxman being weaponised to control competition. In extreme cases, we’ve witnessed politically motivated assassinations. We must not return to that dark past,” he said.
A former aide of Mr Gachagua at Wamunyoro command centre, Mr Ngunjiri Wambugu, said his ex-boss must accept the reality of multiparty democracy.
Resist one-man, party rule
“Mr Gachagua wants to roll out a party that dictates who gets elected in Mt Kenya and nationally. But Mt Kenya will resist one-man, one-party rule. All parties must be welcome here,” he said.
Other parties expected to counter Mr Gachagua’s influence include The Service Party (Mwangi Kiunjuri), Tujibebe (William Kabogo), and National Democrats (Thuo Mathenge).
Jubilee Party, once led by Mr Kenyatta, has splintered into factions supporting Mr Gachagua, Dr Ruto, and Mr Kenyatta.
Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria still leads Usawa kwa Wote, while a Mt Kenya governor and former influential parliamentary committee chair are crafting the People’s Party of Kenya. Other regional parties include the Party of National Unity (Peter Munya) and the Devolution Empowerment Party (Kiraitu Murungi).
National Democratic Congress youth leader Ms Gladys Njoroge expressed hope that Mr Gachagua would work on his frequent verbal gaffes and align himself with the broader national effort to liberate the country.
"The country cannot be liberated by speeches fixated on one's tribe. Yes, all our political parties are tribal to some extent, but their founders don't openly declare it. Mr Gachagua owns DCP as a tribal outfit but should, at the very least, learn to keep it to himself," she said.
