NAIROBI, Kenya- DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has welcomed members of the Nyeri County Assembly to the Democracy for the Citizens Party, saying they have ditched the United Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, Gachagua said the delegation was led by Nyeri County Assembly Speaker James Gichuhi and marked the beginning of DCP’s push to take control of the county’s elective seats.
He described the move as a major setback for UDA in Nyeri, saying DCP now wants to build enough support to win the governor’s seat, parliamentary positions and all 30 ward seats in the county.
DCP targets Nyeri sweep
Gachagua said the party would conduct free and fair nominations ahead of the next election, urging the MCAs and other aspirants to begin preparing for the party primaries expected in March 2027.
“DCP is committed to winning every seat in the next elections, from governor to all 30 MCAs in the county,” Gachagua said.
He told the leaders to return to the grassroots and popularise the party, saying DCP would rely on a transparent nomination process to identify its candidates.
“The future is green. Green is wealth,” he said.
The DCP leader said the gathering at Wamunyoro was part of a wider plan to weaken UDA’s hold on Nyeri, a county that gave President William Ruto and Gachagua overwhelming support in the 2022 General Election.
Speaker Gichuhi leads delegation
Speaker Gichuhi has increasingly associated himself with Gachagua’s political activities in Nyeri and previously welcomed the DCP leader during his engagements in the county.
The Nyeri County Assembly’s official profile lists 30 elected ward representatives and 12 nominated MCAs, in addition to the Speaker. Its website previously described UDA as the dominant party in the House alongside independent members.
Gachagua did not release an individual list of the MCAs who attended the Wamunyoro meeting or provide details on when their party membership changes would be formally reflected in Assembly and party records.
However, the Speaker-led visit is likely to deepen pressure on UDA in Nyeri, where DCP has been positioning itself as the main alternative party ahead of 2027.
Battle for Nyeri intensifies
Nyeri is emerging as one of the key counties in Gachagua’s effort to consolidate Mt Kenya support through DCP following his fallout with President Ruto and UDA.
The former Deputy President has turned his Wamunyoro home into a regular meeting point for elected leaders, aspirants and grassroots delegations seeking to align with DCP.
Several leaders from Mt Kenya have already joined or publicly associated themselves with the party, including Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha.
For Gachagua, bringing Nyeri MCAs into DCP would offer a ready-made grassroots network across the county’s 30 wards, strengthening the party’s ability to recruit members, organise primaries and campaign for its candidates.
The planned March nominations are expected to be a major test for DCP, particularly if multiple candidates seek the party’s ticket for governor, Member of Parliament and MCA positions.
Gachagua’s assurance of free and fair primaries appears aimed at calming fears of favouritism as the party attracts more incumbents and aspirants in Nyeri and across Mt Kenya.
The latest development sets up a sharper contest between DCP and UDA in Nyeri, with both parties expected to intensify their grassroots campaigns as the 2027 election draws closer.
