Apart from constantly having his meetings disrupted violently in spiraling political chaos, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is having another headache. The headache is about a disintegrating camp he’s building to block President William Ruto’s re-election quest.
On Monday, two of his former allies, Gathoni wa Muchomba of Githunguri and George Koimburi of Juja attended Ruto’s top United Democratic Alliance Party meeting at State House. Their presence signified the big loss the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Party leader is enduring as 2027 General Election beckons.
It is this kind of exit that forced Gachagua to last week organize a three-day retreat that focused on reviewing the party’s activities and adopting strategies in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Among the attendees at the retreat were Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Ole Seki (Kajiado), John Kinyua, Kamau Murango (Nyandarua), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu), and Joe Nyutu (Murang’a).
Others present included MPs Kamau Munyoro, Gakuya James (Embakasi North), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Amos Mwago, Mwangi Wandeto, Jayne Kihara, Onesmus Ngogoyo, John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), and Wakili Muriu; Woman Representative Gacheri Maina; Nyeri County Assembly Speaker Gichuhi Mwangi; and MCA David Mathenge.
The retreat came at a critical time for the party, as defections, internal wrangles, and loyalty issues threaten its unity.
December proved particularly stormy for the nine-month-old political outfit, with Juja MP George Koimburi’s defection dealing a major blow. The MP announced his move to President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga silently angered Gachagua when he recently declared his allegiance to the government and President Ruto.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Kahiga promised to rally behind Ruto’s re-election bid if the president completes ongoing development projects in the region.
Kahiga’s remarks came shortly after a section of DCP grassroots officials from Nakuru threatened to defect, citing frustrations with Gachagua.
The complaints emerged soon after Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge accused the DCP leader of using heavy-handed tactics and intimidation to dominate the united opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
As Gachagua positions DCP as the primary Mt Kenya political vehicle, disputes over nominations have begun to surface, triggering exits from the young party.
The latest to leave DCP is former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, who on Thursday announced that he was stepping back from active politics.
Kamau, who had declared interest in the Murang’a governor seat on the DCP ticket, said his decision to take a break was due to “reasons beyond my control”.
However, Top News learnt that Kamau’s move may have been influenced by a meeting between Gachagua and former Water PS Joseph Wairagu, who is also seeking the Murang’a governor seat on the DCP ticket.
Wairagu is the party’s Murang’a county coordinator. He visited Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home in January last year. Kamau follows Juja MP George Koimburi, who announced his exit from DCP last week.
Koimburi accused Gachagua of conmanship and betrayal after his long-time rival, Alosie Kinyanjui, the brother of former CS Moses Kuria, was welcomed into the party.
He said his departure was prompted by what he described as the “auctioning” of DCP tickets to the highest bidders, a claim the party addressed both in a statement and through Gachagua.
“I was played badly. Despite being a diehard supporter of Gachagua and the party, new entrants are coming with Sh5 million and are treated as insiders, while we loyalists are pushed to the periphery,” Koimburi said.
Gachagua, however, said he had simply denied him preferential treatment. “He asked for a direct ticket because he supported me during impeachment,” he said. “I told him no. DCP is democratic and everyone must go through nominations.”
A similar dispute is cited as the reason behind the fallout between Gachagua and Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba. Wamuchomba, who stood with Gachagua during and after the impeachment process, has since emerged as one of his sharpest critics.
She is said to have fallen out with Gachagua after he held talks with Njenga Mabati, also known as Wamabati, another aspirant seeking the DCP ticket for the Githunguri seat.
Speaking on Inooro TV, Wamuchomba said they parted ways after she concluded that Gachagua was not “honest” and had “hidden cards”.
“After using us and taking our money, he is now rushing to people with money,” she said.
“Now that we helped him cross the river and he has a party, he wants the person with money in Githunguri. You will hear many such cases, even in Nyeri.”
The disputes have heightened concerns among early DCP loyalists that their sacrifices could be eclipsed by newcomers with deeper pockets or stronger local networks as the party grows.
They also point to a broader challenge facing Gachagua: How to manage internal competition without triggering fragmentation.
Aware of the risks, Gachagua sought to calm tensions at a recent meeting in Gatundu. He told party members that DCP would conduct free and fair primaries for all elective positions, including seats currently held by his allies.
“There will be no direct tickets,” Gachagua said. “Everyone, including my close allies, will face the people.”
However, translating that promise into practice may prove difficult, according to his former adviser and ex-Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu in an interview with Top News referred to those decamping from Gachagua’s camp as sellouts.
“How best can they be referred if not betrayers? They came to snitch and that is what they have been doing best,” said Nyutu.
