NAIROBI, Kenya – DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua is expected to return to a politically demanding landscape, with internal disputes in his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), competing power centres in Mt Kenya and a pending summons from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) among the issues awaiting his attention.
Gachagua, who left Kenya on August 26, completed engagements with Kenyans living in the United States on October 9 before announcing a further 15-day political meeting at his ranch in Texas. During his stay, he toured Spokane, Portland, Kensas, Dallas and Boston.
Although his return date had remained uncertain, Gachagua said Kenyans were urging him to return quickly because “the opposition fire is dying”.
His return comes amid disagreements among opposition leaders over coalition-building, the timing of selecting a joint presidential candidate and how parties should prepare for the 2027 General Election.
Within DCP, disputes over party discipline, candidate selection and grassroots mobilisation have also raised questions about the party’s unity and readiness for the next electoral contest.
Mt Kenya Power Struggle Puts Gachagua’s Influence Under Scrutiny
The political contest extends to Mt Kenya, where Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has alleged that the government is pursuing a five-part plan to weaken DCP’s influence in the region.
The claims, which have not been independently established, include promoting rival political parties, using tokenism, countering DCP’s messaging through anti-drug and illicit alcohol campaigns, increasing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s presence in Mt Kenya West and positioning Ndia MP George Kariuki as an alternative political leader.
The allegations place Gachagua’s regional influence under scrutiny as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The competing efforts to build political support in Mt Kenya could also shape DCP’s strategy, particularly as the party seeks to recruit members, attract aspirants and establish structures across the country.
NCIC Summons Adds To Gachagua’s Return Challenges
Gachagua also faces an outstanding summons from the NCIC over remarks the commission said could amount to hate speech.
He was summoned to appear before the commission on August 27. However, his lawyers, Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, declined the summons in a letter dated August 20, citing his planned trip abroad from August 26 to October 20.
The commission cited remarks allegedly made at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County on February 23, in Luanda, Vihiga County, on June 12, and during a tour of Meru between July 25 and 28.
The allegations concern three separate engagements in different counties. Gachagua had expressed defiance over the matter, but it remains unclear whether he will appear before the commission after returning or what action it may take if he fails to do so.
The summons adds a further issue to the political and organisational challenges facing the former deputy president as he prepares to resume activities in Kenya.
DCP Disciplinary Disputes Raise Questions Over Party Unity
While Gachagua has been away, DCP has faced internal disciplinary disputes and public disagreements involving members and local leaders.
Gichugu MP aspirant Njeri Mbogo was suspended for 180 days over claims linking her to an incident in which protesting voters were filmed displaying women’s pants bearing the names of Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango and Woman Representative Njeri Maina.
Maina said a gubernatorial aspirant had mischievously procured the items to tarnish a rival.
The incident has added to tensions surrounding party discipline and relations among political aspirants in Kirinyaga.
DCP chairman of eminent persons Maina Kamanda has also alleged that government moles have infiltrated the party, warning that they would not receive nomination tickets even if they won.
Kamanda defended Murango, saying the senator had endured impeachment and persecution and had helped build DCP.
“There is no way we can betray such passion,” he said.
In Kiambu, youth leader Isaac Mungai was expelled from the party following a dispute with Senator Karungo Thang’wa and what appeared to be his support for Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Mungai said he had accepted the decision but challenged Gachagua’s claim to command eight million votes. He argued that the party leader could count only his own vote and those of his wife and two children.
The public disagreements have raised questions about how DCP will manage differences among members while maintaining a common political direction.
Tabitha Keroche Warned Over Grassroots Activities
DCP has also warned Nakuru Senator Tabitha Keroche against running parallel grassroots programmes and bypassing established branch structures.
Keroche defected from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance on October 9, 2026, and intends to vie for Nakuru governor.
The DCP secretariat subsequently issued her a warning letter over the matter.
The dispute highlights the challenge of integrating new members and aspirants into the party’s existing structures while enforcing common rules on grassroots mobilisation.
With the 2027 elections approaching, DCP will have to address concerns over party discipline, branch authority and the nomination process if it is to manage competition among aspirants and maintain confidence in its internal arrangements.
Sh5 Billion Nomination Budget Adds Pressure
DCP’s finance committee says the party needs about Sh5 billion for nominations, adding urgency to decisions on nomination fees and the rules that will govern candidate selection.
The proposed expenditure underscores the scale of the organisational preparations required as parties seek to identify candidates and manage competition across constituencies and counties.
For DCP, the process will test its ability to accommodate competing ambitions while ensuring that nominations are conducted under clear and consistently applied procedures.
Opposition Coalition Plans Remain Unsettled
Beyond the internal disputes, Gachagua must determine how DCP will work with other opposition parties as they prepare for the 2027 General Election.
He has maintained that DCP is not ready for a formal coalition, arguing that it should first build its structures, expand its presence across counties, identify influential political principals and complete grassroots recruitment.
The position places DCP’s immediate focus on party-building, even as other opposition leaders debate coalition arrangements and the timing of settling on a joint presidential candidate.
Gachagua’s return will therefore come at a critical stage for the party, with questions over his influence in Mt Kenya, the handling of internal disputes, the NCIC summons and the party’s approach to opposition cooperation all demanding attention.
How DCP addresses these issues could shape its organisation and relationships with other opposition parties as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.
