Gachagua camp to force by-elections in 4 counties in battle against Ruto

The mini-polls, which will be occasioned by the resignation of at least four Members of Parliament and at least 20 MCAS, will affect Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kiambu, and Kirinyaga counties.

The decision was reached during a high-level meeting of Gachagua’s allies in Nairobi on May 13, 2025, as they planned the launch of their political vehicle.

Gachagua will, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, unveil the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as his new political vehicle, marking a significant step in his battle against President Ruto.

Sources familiar with Gachagua’s political strategy to consolidate Mt Kenya said the electoral units were carefully selected because of the high chances the incumbents have of recapturing their seats.

The insiders, however, insisted that the MPs also agreed to quit their seats voluntarily after assessing their electability based on secret scientific polls conducted by Gachagua’s camp.

Once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is constituted within the next 14 days, the MPs will resign as Gachagua seeks to test the acceptability of his new DCP party.

MPs will vet the IEBC chairperson and six commissioners on May 26, 2027. They are expected to be sworn into office by the end of May.

An assessment will also be conducted after the party's launch to determine whether more MPs should resign, with Gachagua’s camp targeting up to 20 MPs by the end of the year.

At least three senators are said to be ready to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate as part of the plan to solidify support in the Mt Kenya region.

A Member of Parliament in the former DP’s camp said they are closely guarding the names of the MPs expected to resign soon for strategic reasons, but affirmed that the upcoming by-elections will enable Gachagua to lock in the Mount Kenya vote.

“It is going to be like a mini-election never seen before in this country and a 2027 test run, because we believe that the polls will give us an opportunity to assess our level of support in the region,” the MP said.

Another lawmaker from Mt Kenya, but elected in a cosmopolitan region, told The Star that once the IEBC panel is sworn in, the next task will be to prepare the country for mini-elections, including four new ones in Mt Kenya.

“For the doubting Thomases, the time has come when the political muscle of the Deputy President will be affirmed and solidified in Mt Kenya when his allies are re-elected,” he said.

In February, Gachagua disclosed that several leaders from the Mount Kenya region were likely to seek re-election due to changes in political alliances.

In an exclusive interview with KTN News, Gachagua explained the strategy behind postponing the unveiling of his new party. He noted that the party was strategically waiting for the formation of the IEBC.

“Our political party is ready, and for strategic reasons, I did not want to unveil it before May,” Gachagua said on February 25, 2025.

“We wanted the IEBC to be constituted because several of our senators and MPs plan to resign from UDA, join our new party, and contest in by-elections,” he added.

He further stated:

“As of today, 139 MCAs want to resign from UDA and go for by-elections. We are going to force a little general election after the IEBC is constituted.”