NAIROBI, Kenya — Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has publicly severed ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of betrayal and unethical political practices as succession politics ahead of the 2027 general election intensify.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 14, Koimburi said his decision followed what he described as personal betrayal by Gachagua, despite having stood by him after his impeachment from office.
“I was a die-hard supporter of Rigathi Gachagua,” Koimburi said. “From the time he was removed from government, I followed him, respected him, and did many things for him. I was even thrown into a cell and detained, and I have many cases in court because of following Gachagua.”
The Juja lawmaker alleged that the former deputy president had been compromised politically, claiming that Gachagua accepted money from one of his rivals to influence the allocation of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ticket for the Juja parliamentary race in 2027.
“I cannot accept a party that takes bribes or demands money from people who want to contest for certain positions,” Koimburi said, in remarks likely to deepen cracks within Gachagua’s emerging political outfit.
Koimburi further signalled a strategic political shift, announcing plans to work closely with the government to secure development projects for his constituency.
“I will go to State House to ask for roads and deliver them to the people of Juja,” he said. “When 2027 comes and politics begins, I will direct my people on where to cast their votes, based on where I will be.”
The remarks suggest a possible realignment with President William Ruto’s administration, underscoring the fluid political loyalties currently reshaping Mt Kenya politics.
Koimburi’s defection comes amid growing dissent around Gachagua’s leadership style and political tactics. Days earlier, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba accused the former deputy president of using intimidation and insults to pressure her into joining DCP.
In a statement issued on January 5, Wamuchomba said similar tactics had been used against her during Gachagua’s tenure as deputy president when she opposed the Finance Bill 2023.
“Now, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is using threats and insults to intimidate me to join DCP Party,” she said. “When he was DP, he did the same to intimidate me when I voted ‘No’ for the Finance Bill 2023. God deflated him painfully.”
Wamuchomba firmly ruled out defecting, saying she would remain in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) through the next general election.
“I’m not joining the DCP Party, and I’m in UDA till 2027,” she said.
