Rival Parties React to Gachagua’s Drive to Lead Mt Kenya Politics

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s push to establish the Democracy for the Citizens’ Party (DCP) as the leading political force in Mt Kenya has set off a wave of strategic responses from rival parties and leaders across the region.

Gachagua’s efforts to consolidate support under DCP come ahead of the 2027 General Election and have disrupted existing political alignments. His campaign directly challenges several parties with historical or strategic influence in the region. 

This includes President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), now represented by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, as well as the Jubilee Party led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Jimi Wanjigi’s Safina Party, and others such as the Democratic Party (DP), Party of National Unity (PNU), The Service Party (TSP), Chama Cha Kazi (CCK), and the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP).

At the centre of Gachagua’s strategy is an attempt to become Mt Kenya’s primary political figure, which would give him significant influence in national politics. Analysts suggest his ambitions go beyond reclaiming the deputy presidency, viewing his consolidation drive as a broader attempt to control the region’s political direction for years to come.

According to Professor Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University, Gachagua is aiming to centralise Mt Kenya’s political voice through DCP, positioning himself as the key intermediary for the region’s electoral support. This has prompted a reaction from other leaders, many of whom are reactivating dormant parties or registering new ones to maintain political relevance.

The potential consequences of this realignment are considerable. A successful DCP unification could weaken long-standing national party structures in the region and sideline influential political figures. While some leaders have backed Gachagua’s plan, others have expressed firm opposition.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru has supported the initiative, arguing that a unified political voice would strengthen the region’s negotiating power. In contrast, Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has criticised the DCP drive, describing it as divisive and rooted in ethnic politics. He said his party is focused on forming alliances based on shared economic interests across diverse regions such as Pokomo and Bungoma.

Political analyst Dismas Mokua has compared Gachagua’s approach to earlier efforts at regional dominance, warning that his actions could undermine multiparty democracy. Mokua also pointed to Gachagua’s response to political activities by rivals, such as Fred Matiang’i’s participation in a Jubilee event, as evidence of a centralising agenda.

Gachagua has defended his campaign as an effort to restore Mt Kenya’s political influence, arguing that the region has long been used by outside interests. However, this view has been contested by other leaders, including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who maintains that former President Kenyatta remains the region’s legitimate political leader. 

She said Kenyatta did not impose his authority and warned against what she described as a sense of entitlement in current leadership efforts. The Service Party leader, Mwangi Kiunjuri, has also criticised Gachagua, accusing him of being motivated by personal grievances rather than policy solutions. In response to DCP’s growing influence, President Ruto has tasked Deputy President Kindiki with strengthening UDA’s presence in Mt Kenya. 

Kindiki has committed to consolidating support for the president, urging residents to reject leaders he characterised as lacking development-focused agendas.