Inside the struggles shaping Gachagua's 2027 bid

Last month, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cut short his trip to the United States to focus on preparations for by-elections scheduled for November.

“I had a very successful and fulfilling visit to the United States with serious engagements with Kenyans in the diaspora. I regret being unable to visit the scheduled remaining states, as I need to return home to join our party, DCP, in preparing for the upcoming by-elections across the country. I apologise to the organisers and Kenyans I was to meet; these engagements have been rescheduled for early next year,” Gachagua said in a statement on August 14.

Upon his return, Gachagua immediately began a series of meetings at his Wamunyoro residence, including consultations with aspirants vying for the DCP ticket in the 2027 General Elections.

“Our party remains truly democratic and transparent, with no preference for any candidate. Every aspirant will be given an equal opportunity based on merit, commitment, and the will of the people. We are committed to fostering a fair and inclusive process that upholds the values of our party and ensures the best leadership for our future,” Gachagua said.

However, as he organised his party for the general election, Gachagua faced new challenges. While many expected him to use the by-elections, particularly in Mbeere North, to flex his muscle and assert his dominance in Mt Kenya, the situation has evolved differently. Initially, Gachagua had planned to field a candidate in the by-election, but he later announced that the DCP would not contest, instead endorsing the Democratic Party (DP), led by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.

DP had already endorsed Newton Kariuki, known as Newton Karish, as their candidate for Mbeere North. Gachagua subsequently withdrew DCP’s candidate, Duncan Mbui, while accusing President William Ruto of sponsoring multiple small parties to divide the votes in Mt Kenya.

“Ruto has sponsored many small parties in Mt Kenya with the intention to divide the votes. For instance, when DCP declared that we would not field a candidate, he turned to Moses Kuria’s party. Now, there are several ‘wheelbarrow’ parties in the region,” Gachagua claimed in a televised interview on Sunday.

Despite the setbacks, Gachagua got a boost on August 5, when DCP unveiled Aden Mohammed as its candidate for Banisa Constituency. Mohammed firmly declared that he would not be intimidated or coerced into stepping down or joining another party.

“There have been many attempts by the leadership of this country to coerce the people of Banisa into a contest they are not ready for. One thing I want to say is that they should not waste their time. The people of Banisa have told me that I should be on the ballot with this party, DCP,” Mohammed asserted.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, Mohammed later withdrew from the race. Speculation surrounding his sudden withdrawal intensified after photos of him with the President surfaced, leading some to suggest he had struck a deal, although ‘wider public consultations’ were cited as the reason for his decision.

In Malava, the party had to clarify reports that its candidate, Edgar Busiega, had withdrawn. These reports were dismissed as false and misleading.

“These claims are the result of panic from our competitors, who sense defeat in the face of our candidate’s growing popularity. Edgar Busiega remains firmly in the race, and we are confident of victory come November 27. We urge our supporters and the people of Malava to ignore the propaganda and remain focused,” DCP said in a statement on September 14.

Apart from the by-election politics, DCP has faced significant challenges, including the delayed launch of the party. In May, Gachagua was blocked from launching DCP at the Kasarani Indoor Arena, with Sports Kenya citing ‘prior bookings’ due to the 2025 CAF CHAN preparations. DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga condemned the cancellation as an “affront to democracy,” accusing the government of interfering with the party’s activities.

Gachagua also condemned what he called brutal actions against him, his family, and supporters by goons allegedly sent by senior government officials during the party’s unveiling. Chaos broke out at the event, forcing police intervention.

Meanwhile, opposition groups have been preparing for the 2027 elections, with all presidential aspirants agreeing to respect the collective decision on the candidate. Gachagua reiterated his readiness to lead the country, emphasising the need for a new direction: “2027 will be the time. I am firmly in the presidential race for a better Kenya.”

Jubilee Party, which has expressed support for Fred Matiang’i, met him at the party headquarters ahead of its National Delegates Conference, with Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni reaffirming their commitment to unity and purpose-driven politics

Despite these hurdles, Gachagua remains focused on strengthening DCP at the grassroots level and building a political movement that resonates across Kenya. He expressed his optimism, saying, “I’m encouraged by the enthusiasm of young people stepping forward to lead our country.”