NAIROBI, Kenya — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims that he is pushing for Nairobi leadership positions to be reserved for the Kikuyu community, insisting that his political vision for the capital is built on inclusivity, coalition cooperation, and ethnic diversity.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 3, the former Deputy President criticized sections of the media for what he termed as misleading reporting, urging journalists to avoid twisting his remarks.
“You newspapers don’t twist. Saying that Riggy G wants the whole of Nairobi to go to Kikuyus. Just be professional and fair people. You have a responsibility to be truthful, don’t twist narratives,” he said.
Gachagua stressed that DCP’s political strategy for Nairobi is anchored on representing all communities living in the capital, adding that the opposition alliance intends to field a leadership slate that reflects Kenya’s ethnic makeup.
“All these seats belong to every tribe in Nairobi. Governor, Senator, Women Representative. We will mix all Kenyans so that we will be the face of Kenya,” he said.
He further outlined a coordinated approach between opposition parties, particularly DCP and the Wiper Democratic Movement, explaining that the coalition intends to support candidates based on regional strengths.
“When Wiper is strong, we support them; where DP is strong, we support them; where DCP is strong, they support us,” he noted.
Gachagua expressed confidence that the United Opposition would dominate the Nairobi contest in 2027, citing past electoral patterns.
“I have looked at past performances, and I’m sure Nairobi is for the United Opposition 100pc,” he said.
His remarks come amid speculation over seat-sharing deals within the opposition, following DCP’s declaration on Sunday that it intends to capture the governorship, senate seat, women representative post, 16 out of 17 parliamentary seats, and at least 75 of 85 ward seats in Nairobi.
“We have an agreement with the Wiper leader… The plan is for the Governor, Woman Representative, and Senator to be from DCP, while we aim, working with Wiper, to win at least 16 out of 17 parliamentary seats,” Gachagua had said at a thanksgiving service at P.C.E.A. Kariobangi North Berea Parish Church.
But Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has since dismissed suggestions that his party has ceded Nairobi to DCP, saying the claims are aimed at manufacturing friction between the two leaders.
“Stop with the claims that the Wiper Party has left all the Nairobi seats to the Democracy of Citizens Party. Such narratives seem designed to create friction between Rigathi Gachagua and me,” Kalonzo said.
He emphasized that Wiper will negotiate from a position of integrity, making it clear that cooperation does not amount to surrendering political ground.
“Cooperation must be based on honesty and mutual respect,” he noted.
With both leaders now publicly seeking to calm tensions, the opposition coalition continues to navigate delicate power-balancing ahead of the 2027 elections, even as questions persist over how seat-sharing will be structured across the capital’s competitive political landscape.
