Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has moved to shake off the tribal tag dishing key appointments to his new political vehicle across the country.
Gachagua’s political journey has been overshadowed by a tribal label, one of the grounds cited in his dramatic removal from office last year.
On Thursday, the ex-DP signalled intent to nationalise his political brand, unveiling party officials drawn from across the nation.
Critics have often accused him of ethnic chest-thumping and parochial politics—an image that he now seems to be discarding.
The move is also viewed as a deliberate attempt to counter perception that his base and influence are limited to Mt Kenya.
Gachagua who has kept the nation guessing on his 2027 political vehicle finally settled on Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
DCP, whose slogan is Skiza Wakenya (Listen to Kenyans), was launched in Lavington, Nairobi with the former DP as the party leader.
Gachagua’s move comes just days after officially resigning from the ruling UDA, a party he now criticises for betraying its founding ideals and failing to address the needs of Kenyans.
From the coastal counties to the Rift Valley and even the traditionally opposition-leaning Nyanza region, key party positions have been awarded to loyalists and rising stars outside his Mt Kenya stronghold.
Some of the notable names that will drive Gachagua’s party include ex-Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala-Deputy Party leader (Kakamega), David Mingati – chairperson (Kajiado), ex-lawmaker Peter Mwathi – Deputy chairperson, strategy (Kiambu), Margaret Sarah Owino –deputy chairperson, operations (Kisumu) and Hezron Obanga – Secretary General (Kisii)
Gachagua also appointed Martin Ole Kamwaro- deputy secretary general (Narok), Hannah Mutua –national treasurer, (Machakos), Evangeline Wanjiru Njoka - deputy treasurer, strategy (Embu), Thomas Mwita – deputy national Treasurer (Migori), Andrew Kiplimo - director of elections (Uasin Gishu), Mithuka Linturi – national organising secretary (Meru), Catherine Waruguru- National women leader (Laikipia) and veteran city politician Maina Kamanda – chairperson of eminent persons (Nairobi)
Others are David Njenga – chairperson diaspora caucus, Albanus Kinyua- chairperson of the religious caucus, Alex Khamasi - national coordinator for counties (Kakamega), Brenda Wanjiru –executive director(Busia), Christopher Mwadime –secretary for devolution (Taita Taveta), Mercy Gakuya - secretary for education(Nairobi) and Elvan in Nyambura -secretary international affairs (Murang’a)
Also appointed on interim basis were Hussein Athmani - secretary for tourism (Kilifi), John Maraga -secretary represent PWDs (Nakuru) and Cera Wanjinku - national youth leader.
Gachagua also announced a major political gathering in Nairobi on June 4, 2025, for the national launch of his new outfit.
“Today we have unveiled our party to the people and on June 4, 2025, we will launch the party to the public and we will have all leaders from political parties attend,” Gachagua announced.
The event, which will be held in Nairobi, is expected to attract key figures from the opposition coalition as Gachagua unveils his 2027 political agenda.
Political analysts argue that the inclusion of such figures — some of whom have roots in both Jubilee and UDA — signals a deliberate strategy to build a broad-based coalition and appeal to disillusioned leaders and voters from across the political spectrum.
Political analyst Albert Kasembeli speaking to Star said Gachagua is crafting a “listening movement” that doubles as a protest party for leaders disillusioned by Kenya Kwanza’s governance.
“DCP is not just a political outfit—it’s a platform for rebellion within Mt Kenya,” Kasembeli said. “Gachagua is tapping into a growing sense of betrayal among his regional supporters who feel sidelined by the Ruto administration.”
He further argued that the DCP’s identity is built around inclusivity and attentiveness to citizens’ voices.
“The DCP’s colours—green, brown and black—symbolise a connection to the land and the people, while the party’s logo, a hand touching an ear, reinforces the slogan “Kazi na Haki” (Work and Justice) and the commitment to “listening to the ground”,” he added.
Gachagua, speaking during the launch, made it clear that there will be no direct nominations in the new party noting that not even for his closest associates.
“We have no favourites. The party belongs to all Kenyans. It is the people of Kenya who will choose the candidates they want as their leaders,” Gachagua said, drawing applause from the crowd.
He further said the party is ready to liberate the country from bad leadership noting that they will be traversing the region unveiling it to the people.
Gachagua has also signaled his intent to form coalitions with prominent opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, aiming to rally a new alliance for the 2027 elections.
His coalition partners did not however attend the unveiling of the DCP.
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