Gachagua urges Mt Kenya unity, warns against attempts to split the region
Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the ongoing debate over who will be President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election, saying the opposition’s priority is to make Ruto a one-term president.
Gachagua spoke on Sunday while leading a series of rallies in Nairobi’s Roysambu area after attending a church service at the PCEA church in Zimmerman.
He said the “united opposition” was preparing to unveil a plan aimed at unseating President Ruto in 2027, arguing that discussions on who should deputise the President were “inconsequential”.
At the same time, Gachagua and his allies revisited last month’s attack at ACK Witima Church in Othaya Constituency, questioning why investigations had stalled despite assurances from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
“Walipiga wamama na watoto kanisani Witima… mbona hao watu bado hawajashikwa?” Gachagua posed.
The DCP leader also warned the broad-based team bringing together UDA and ODM that they would not win the presidency — “let alone” the deputy president’s seat — insisting Ruto would serve only one term regardless of who is picked as running mate.
“Hata waweke soprano kama deputy… atakuwa one term… hata wapatie mzee Oburu bado ni one term, hata wapatie Gladys Wanga bado atakuwa one term,” he said.
His remarks come amid debate in political circles over the future of the deputy president’s slot ahead of the 2027 election.
In the meetings, Gachagua urged supporters from the Mount Kenya region to remain united and avoid internal divisions, warning that disunity would weaken the bloc politically.
He said he had agreed with his allies, including former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, that the region must speak with one voice.
“Tumeamua na Muturi kwamba watu wetu lazima wawe kitu kimoja… msikubali kasongo atugawanye,” he said
Allies who addressed the rallies echoed the call for unity and cautioned against moves they claimed were aimed at splitting the region.
Gachagua also claimed the opposition would hold zoning talks with other political formations to maximise its chances of winning elective seats in 2027, including in Nairobi.
“Tutaongea… na Kalonzo… DCP tutakuwa na gavana lakini hiyo viti zingine… tutajipanga na Kalonzo,” he said.
He further raised concerns over voter registration, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Registration Bureau not to allow what he termed irregular issuance of identity cards.
Gachagua addressed rallies in Roysambu, Githurai 45 and Githurai 44 as he continued to intensify his political mobilisation in the capital.
