Speaking during an interview on K24 TV on Monday, January 12, 2026, the former Deputy President said he has not coerced any leader to defect to DCP, arguing that political realignments in the Mt Kenya region are being driven by voters themselves as the 2027 General Election approaches.
“Who is forcing her?” Gachagua posed.
“It is the constituency. If wananchi are telling her that if she is not in DCP she will lose, what do you want me to do about it? My work is simply to sell the DCP agenda.”
Gachagua maintained that his role is limited to popularising the party and articulating its vision, insisting that individual leaders are free to make their own political choices.
Gachagua maintained that his role is limited to popularising the party and articulating its vision, insisting that individual leaders are free to make their own political choices.
According to him, the political mood in Mt Kenya has shifted significantly, making it difficult for leaders outside DCP to secure re-election.
“I have not asked her or anyone else to join,” he said.
“I am just telling leaders the truth. If you want to be elected in this region in 2027, DCP is the vehicle. Whether they agree or not is not my decision.”
The DCP leader further argued that what some politicians interpret as intimidation is, in reality, pressure from voters demanding political alignment with what they perceive as the region’s dominant movement.
“Mine is just to set the tempo,” he said.
“If wananchi say yes to DCP, then that is the will of the people, not coercion from Rigathi Gachagua.”
Wamuchomba’s accusations
Gachagua’s remarks were in response to comments made by Wamuchomba last week, in which she accused him of using insults, intimidation, and political pressure to force her to abandon the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join DCP.
In a statement shared on her X account on January 5, 2026, the Githunguri legislator said she had previously faced similar pressure from Gachagua during his tenure as Deputy President, particularly when she opposed the Finance Bill in 2023.
“He is now using chest-thumping and insults to intimidate me to join DCP,” Wamuchomba wrote.
Wamuchomba’s accusations
Gachagua’s remarks were in response to comments made by Wamuchomba last week, in which she accused him of using insults, intimidation, and political pressure to force her to abandon the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join DCP.
In a statement shared on her X account on January 5, 2026, the Githunguri legislator said she had previously faced similar pressure from Gachagua during his tenure as Deputy President, particularly when she opposed the Finance Bill in 2023.
“He is now using chest-thumping and insults to intimidate me to join DCP,” Wamuchomba wrote.
“He did the same when he was DP after I voted against the Finance Bill. God deflated him painfully.”
She dismissed DCP as a regional project and questioned Gachagua’s claim to leadership within the party, citing records from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
“He claims it is a ‘mountain party’ and that all of us must join, yet from ORPP records he is not even an official, let alone a party leader,” she said.
Wamuchomba also accused Gachagua of deploying Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa to pressure and demean leaders who have chosen to remain in UDA.
“If this party is truly strong, why don’t its promoters resign from their current positions and seek fresh mandates under it?” she asked, insisting she would remain in UDA until 2027.
Mount Kenya political contest
The exchange highlights intensifying political competition in the Mt Kenya region, where Gachagua has been working to consolidate influence following his fallout with President William Ruto and subsequent removal from office.
Since launching DCP, the former deputy president has embarked on a vigorous grassroots campaign, portraying his party as the new political home for the region and openly challenging UDA’s dominance.
She dismissed DCP as a regional project and questioned Gachagua’s claim to leadership within the party, citing records from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
“He claims it is a ‘mountain party’ and that all of us must join, yet from ORPP records he is not even an official, let alone a party leader,” she said.
Wamuchomba also accused Gachagua of deploying Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa to pressure and demean leaders who have chosen to remain in UDA.
“If this party is truly strong, why don’t its promoters resign from their current positions and seek fresh mandates under it?” she asked, insisting she would remain in UDA until 2027.
Mount Kenya political contest
The exchange highlights intensifying political competition in the Mt Kenya region, where Gachagua has been working to consolidate influence following his fallout with President William Ruto and subsequent removal from office.
Since launching DCP, the former deputy president has embarked on a vigorous grassroots campaign, portraying his party as the new political home for the region and openly challenging UDA’s dominance.
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