NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has dismissed claims that Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi defected from the party, insisting that the lawmaker has never been a member of DCP nor participated in its activities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 15, the party said Koimburi’s public declaration that he had quit DCP to join President William Ruto’s camp was misleading and factually inaccurate.
“The party wishes to clarify that Hon. George Koimburi has never been a member of the Democracy for the Citizens Party and has never participated in any of its activities,” DCP said.
According to the party, although Koimburi was previously regarded as a close ally of Gachagua, he had not appeared with the former deputy president at any public function for the last six months, allegedly offering repeated excuses.
DCP went further to disclose details of Koimburi’s most recent engagement with Gachagua, revealing that the Juja MP personally sought an urgent meeting with the former deputy president earlier this week.
“On Monday morning, January 12, 2026, Hon. Koimburi placed a call to our party leader requesting an urgent appointment, stating that he was stressed and needed clarification,” the party said.
Gachagua agreed to the request, and the meeting took place later that day at his private office, in the presence of DCP Deputy National Chairperson Peter Mwathi.
According to DCP, Koimburi expressed anger and disbelief that his political rival in the last general election, Aloise Kinyanjui, had been allowed to join the party. The lawmaker reportedly argued that despite standing with Gachagua during the impeachment process and voting against it, he felt sidelined.
The party claimed that Koimburi demanded the removal of Kinyanjui from DCP and sought a written assurance that he would receive a direct nomination for the Juja parliamentary seat in the 2027 general election.
“He further demanded exemption from attending public functions with the party leader until February next year to slow down the prosecution of the various criminal cases facing him,” the statement said.
DCP alleged that Koimburi threatened to defect back to President Ruto’s camp if his demands were not met.
However, the party said Gachagua declined the requests, citing DCP’s commitment to internal democracy.
“The party leader politely informed him that direct nominations are not available, as DCP is a democratic party where all candidates will be determined through fair nominations,” the statement added.
The clarification comes hours after Koimburi announced that he had severed ties with Gachagua’s camp, accusing the DCP leadership of corruption, intimidation, and sidelining loyal members.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, January 14, Koimburi claimed he had been unfairly treated despite his loyalty to the party from its inception.
“We who have been there are pushed aside,” Koimburi said. “I am appealing to my people to be cautious of these criminal parties, because this DCP party, especially in Kiambu County, has shown criminal tendencies.”
He further accused the party of allegedly collecting money from aspirants in exchange for party tickets, claims that DCP has strongly denied.
