Mount Kenya politicians are abandoning Rigathi Gachagua, reason given

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is facing one of the most defining political moments of his career as a growing number of Mount Kenya politicians distance themselves from his leadership. 

Once seen as the region’s political mobiliser after his fallout with President William Ruto, Gachagua now finds his influence increasingly questioned, barely eight months after launching the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

When DCP was unveiled, it was welcomed with enthusiasm by several elected leaders and political hopefuls from Mount Kenya. 

Some analysts predicted the party would quickly dislodge the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from its traditional stronghold.

That optimism, however, has been tempered by a series of defections, internal disputes and public accusations that have exposed deep cracks within the new outfit.

The latest high-profile exit is Juja MP George Koimburi, whose departure followed a bitter dispute over party nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

Koimburi accused DCP of selling the Juja parliamentary ticket to another candidate despite his loyalty to Gachagua, alleging that money, not merit, had become the party’s guiding principle. 

His claims echoed earlier complaints by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who cited intimidation and coercion as reasons for quitting Gachagua’s camp.

They are not alone. Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, and sitting MPs Peter Irungu (Kangema) and Mary Wamaua (Maragua) have also either openly criticised Gachagua or quietly withdrawn their support. 

Together, these exits have raised a critical question: why are Mount Kenya politicians abandoning a man who once styled himself as the region’s undisputed kingpin?

Political analyst Macharia Munene traces the problem to Gachagua’s leadership style, both during and after his tenure as deputy president. 

According to Munene, Gachagua’s time in office cultivated a belief that authority equated to total control over the region’s political space. 

That approach, he argues, alienated other leaders with their own ambitions and support bases.

Munene further notes that politics, especially in a competitive region like Mount Kenya, requires negotiation, consensus-building and restraint. 

In his view, Gachagua’s confrontational rhetoric and tendency to publicly chastise fellow leaders created unnecessary antagonism. 

As political temperatures rise ahead of 2027, such friction has pushed many politicians to prioritise personal survival over loyalty.

Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno offers a different but complementary explanation. He argues that DCP’s struggles are rooted in the absence of a clear political ideology. 

While opposition to President Ruto may galvanise short-term support, Otieno says it is insufficient to sustain a serious political movement. 

Without a coherent agenda addressing economic hardship, governance and national unity, politicians find little incentive to remain anchored in the party.

Otieno believes many Mount Kenya leaders are quietly shopping for a broader national platform that transcends regional identity. 

In his assessment, Kenyans are increasingly weary of ethnic or regional parties and are more likely to rally behind movements that articulate solutions to the cost of living, unemployment and inequality. 

In such a context, DCP’s perceived regional focus limits its appeal and weakens its bargaining power.

In response to the mounting pressure, Gachagua recently convened a retreat for DCP officials at the Coast, framing it as a moment of reflection and strategic planning. 

He insisted the party remains focused on “liberating Kenya from bad leadership” by 2027. 

Yet, the retreat has done little to silence speculation about whether he is steadily losing his grip on Mount Kenya politics.

The unfolding events suggest that Gachagua’s challenge is not merely about defections but about redefining his political identity.