NAIROBI, Kenya – Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-) leader Eugene Wamalwa has played host to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua at his new party offices located at Chui House.
Notable politicians who welcomed the former second in command at Nairobi’s DAP-K offices included Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Senators Richard Onyonka (Kisii), Karungo wa Thang’wa (Kiambu), and John Methu (Nyandarua), and Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga.
Others present at the newly opened DAP-K party office in Karen, Nairobi, were Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala, and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, among others.
“Your Excellency, @rigathi, welcome to Chui House headquarters. All about building alliances to reclaim the lost glory of Kenyans. #MwamkoMpya,” DAP-K Party posted on their official X account shortly after Gachagua’s triumphant arrival at the party headquarters.
It was my honor and pleasure to host you dear brother @rigathi @Pastor_Dorcas and your entire delegation . Receive my family’s and my appreciation for the visit. Leadership is about service, about putting the people first in all the steps we make. I salute your courage and…
How Rigaathi Gachagua has earned a fresh political lease
After being impeached in late 2024, Gachagua now appears to have found a fresh political lease after a section of opposition leaders rallied behind him following his ouster.
On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Gachagua was in Kakamega County Wamalwa during the finals of the Malala Cup, an annual football tournament organised by Malalah, the former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary-general Cleophas Malala, who was ousted from this position in August 2024 following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decisions.
The DAP-K leadership declared that Gachagua would be a part of their new alliance, which Wamalwa would lead after he was impeached.
According to Wamunyinyi, who doubles as the DAP-K deputy party leader, plans to incorporate political heavyweights and former Azimio members who have left or threatened to leave the coalition in the wake of Raila Odinga’s recent affiliation with the Kenya Kwanza Government are in the works.
“Even the leader speaking the truth in UDA, you know him, the truth-teller Gachagua. He is also starting a political party and will join our coalition,” said Wamunyinyi.
Asante bwana @EugeneLWamalwa for the invitation to the unveiling of @DAP_Kenya Chui House this afternoon. Hakika huu ni #MwamkoMpya
Already, Kalonzo, Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee), and former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu have announced that Gachagua has joined them.
Why Rigathi Gachagua recently reached out to Martha Karua
Gachagua’s visit to Chui House comes hours after he met NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua over the weekend in what is being seen as a new political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Mt. Kenya region overwhelmingly voted for President William Ruto and his then-running mate Gachagua in the 2022 General Election.
During the hotly contested August 9, 2022, presidential polls, Karua ran alongside former prime minister Raila Odinga as his running mate.
LIVE ;The Unveiling of New DAP Party Headquarters, Karen Nairobi County. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…
But in an unexpected turn of events, Gachagua, who has not been seeing eye to eye with Karua since the elections, has apologised to the Nark-Kenya Party leader as he seeks to cement his position as the king of the mountain.
“Earlier today I paid a courtesy call to my sister, Senior Counsel Hon. @MarthaKarua., the party leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), at her home in Kimunye Village, Gichugu Constituency, in Kirinyaga County,” said Gachagua when he visited Karua alongside his spouse, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
Gachagua lauded Karua’s dedication to public service and her tireless fight for justice, noting that they had earned his respect and that of millions of Kenyans across the country and people worldwide.
“This is even though we often find ourselves on opposite ends of the political spectrum,” Gachagua said while apologising to the former Justice Cabinet minister.
What Rigathi Gachagua told Martha Karua during their meeting
However, Gachagua reiterated that he had come to believe that as much as the tumultuous world of political rivalry might frequently overshadow the possibility of collaboration, the lessons politicians continue to learn along the way oftentimes also provide opportunities for erstwhile political rivals to work together and leverage diverse perspectives and experiences to effect meaningful change.
“It is within this background that I genuinely look forward to working together with my sister SC Hon Martha Karua to forge a formidable team that will work together and with others for the betterment of our country,” disclosed Gachagua, who was ousted from office in late 2024 after falling out with President Ruto’s administration.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has just landed for the DAP-Kenya Official Launch! Rigathi Gachagua, Eugene L Wamalwa all in attendance. All the best to @DAP_Kenya !
The two leaders, who had previously been rivals and frequently criticised one another for their divergent political philosophies stemming from their distinct party affiliations, met on Saturday, January 25, for what appeared to be reconciliation.
“It was my honour and pleasure to host you, dear brother @rigathi @Pastor_Dorcas, and your entire delegation. Receive my family’s and my appreciation for the visit,” said Karua following their meeting.
Why Martha Karua is ready to work with Rigathi Gachagua
According to Karua, who has announced plans to rebrand her Narck Kenya to the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), leadership is about service and putting the people first in all our steps.
“I salute your courage and resilience in the face of adversity, qualities that we need as we fulfil our joint commitment to rally together leaders from across the nation to address the many challenges facing the people of Kenya. I look forward to working with you and wish you well in all your endeavours,” explained Karua.
Your Excellency @rigathi karibu Chui House headquarters. All about building alliances to reclaim the lost glory of Kenyans. #MwamkoMpya
Goats, sheep, and farm produce with various symbolic meanings were among the gifts sent to Karua’s house by the Gachagua delegation to Gichugu.
These meetings come following weeks of exchanges between President William Ruto and his former deputy.
Gachagua has for the last weeks been hosting delegations at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira in what allies say have been meetings to shop for a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 general election.
