How Plans to Unite Mt Kenya Parties Spark Fresh Gachagua Political Clash
If plans to unite political parties in the Mt Kenya region were meant to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election, they have instead triggered a fresh political dispute involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and several party leaders.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Gachagua has denied seeking to eliminate rival political parties in the region, insisting that his party is ready to compete against other formations for political support.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri during a meeting with a delegation from Mathioya and Kangema, Gachagua said there was nothing wrong with Mt Kenya having several political parties.
The former Deputy President said DCP was focused on expanding its national support and would not prevent other political parties from building their own bases across the country.
His remarks came amid growing disagreement with Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya of the Party of National Unity (PNU) and Democratic Empowerment Party (DEP) leader Lenny Kivuti, who have accused him of attempting to weaken rival parties in the region.
“I want to clarify that DCP welcomes all parties to compete fairly,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua Draws Line at Presidency
Gachagua, however, said there was one political position where he did not want competition among leaders from the Mt Kenya region.
He maintained that politicians from the region should unite behind a common presidential position ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that there was already an agreement to remove President William Ruto from office through the ballot.
“The only seat I do not want competition among ourselves is that of presidency because we all are in agreement that we must send President William Ruto home,” he stated.
The remarks underline the emerging political strategy around the Mt Kenya region, where several parties and political leaders are positioning themselves ahead of the next General Election.
Gachagua has increasingly presented DCP as a national political vehicle, while also seeking to consolidate support in Mt Kenya, a region that remains an important electoral bloc.
The former Deputy President urged Muturi, Munya and Kivuti to work with DCP while challenging them to focus on strengthening their own political formations.
He said leaders heading rival parties should spend their time popularising their parties instead of accusing DCP of attempting to undermine them.
Gachagua said his immediate focus was on building DCP’s support across the country and that other party leaders should similarly work to expand their political bases.
The comments were made a day after Muturi, Munya and Kivuti held a press conference in which they rejected what they described as Gachagua’s attempt to have their parties dissolved and folded into DCP.
Party Leaders Reject Merger Push
The three leaders said Gachagua had no legal or moral authority to determine the future of political parties that they lead.
They described the alleged proposal as offensive to party members, delegates and officials who had invested time and resources in establishing and strengthening their respective political formations.
The dispute has exposed tensions among leaders seeking to shape the political direction of Mt Kenya ahead of 2027.
Although Gachagua insists that DCP is willing to compete alongside other parties, the disagreement centres on remarks he reportedly made at a church event in Meru on July 26.
During the event, Gachagua was reported to have urged the Democratic Party, PNU, Umoja na Maendeleo Party and DEP to dissolve and join DCP.
The remarks triggered opposition from the leaders of the affected parties, who argued that their political formations could not be dissolved through a directive from another political leader.
Muturi, Munya and Kivuti maintained that political parties are independent entities governed by their constitutions and the law.
They argued that any decision to merge, dissolve or reconstitute a political party must be made by the lawful organs of the affected party and follow the requirements of the Political Parties Act.
Their position places the dispute within a broader constitutional debate about the independence of political parties and the rights of their members.
The leaders also cited Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to make political choices, including the right to form, join or participate in the activities of a political party of their choice.
The disagreement therefore goes beyond personalities and could shape how political alliances are formed in the region ahead of the 2027 polls.
2027 Battle Takes Shape
For Gachagua, the focus appears to be on building DCP into a national political force while maintaining a united position against President Ruto’s re-election bid.
His call for other parties to compete fairly suggests that he is not necessarily seeking a single political party in Mt Kenya, despite the controversy surrounding his earlier remarks.
However, his insistence on avoiding competition over the presidency could become a major point of discussion as political parties begin positioning themselves for the next election.
Muturi, Munya and Kivuti’s rejection of any proposal to dissolve their parties also demonstrates that leaders within the region are unwilling to surrender their political identities without a formal process involving their members and party organs.
The developments could lead to further negotiations among the various political formations as leaders assess whether cooperation, coalitions or separate campaigns offer the best route to political influence.
Mt Kenya has historically played a significant role in determining the outcome of presidential elections, making the political direction of the region closely watched by parties across the country.
The latest dispute also highlights the challenge facing leaders seeking to create a united political front.
While there may be agreement among some leaders on opposing Ruto’s re-election, translating that position into a single political strategy could prove more difficult.
Different parties have their own structures, officials, supporters and political interests, meaning that any attempt to bring them under one umbrella would require negotiations and the approval of their respective organs.
Gachagua’s latest remarks appear aimed at calming concerns that DCP intends to shut out other parties while keeping the pressure on leaders to cooperate on the presidential contest.
The coming months are likely to reveal whether the competing parties can find common ground or whether the disagreements will deepen as the 2027 election approaches.
For now, Gachagua maintains that DCP is prepared to compete fairly with other parties, even as he pushes for a common presidential position against Ruto.
The debate has placed the former Deputy President at the centre of another political contest in Mt Kenya, with the region’s parties now facing the challenge of balancing individual ambitions with calls for a broader political alliance.
