DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua./RIGATHI GACHAGUA
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has publicly declared that he will only prioritise building his party and challenged other opposition outfits to strengthen without relying on him.
Gachagua on Wednesday accused unnamed parties of complaining about DCP’s growing visibility while doing nothing to sell their parties.
He noted that, going forward, he will not be distracted by the complaints, insisting he will channel most of his efforts in selling his party.
"I have seen some people complaining that I am selling DCP too much, you want me to sell your party? I don’t belong to your party. Sell your parties, this is a free market,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks point to the fact that not all is well in the opposition, which has been pushing for coordinated activities ahead of potential coalition talks.
The remarks comes just days after he ruffled feathers in the opposition camp with the claim he had agreed with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to have DCP field almost all candidate in Nairobi.
Other United Opposition leaders include DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, DP leader Justin Muturi and Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang'i.
“Let nobody make me feel like I am committing any political crime by selling my DCP, I don’t hold any brief for any political party even if you are in the united opposition," he said.
“United Opposition is strong and nobody can divide us but we in DCP now are more concerned about building our party, a strong party makes a stronger united opposition."
The former DP spoke at the party headquarters during a function to celebrate DCP candidates who triumphed in the ward level by-elections last week.
Gachagua also assured DCP aspirants of a free and fair nomination exercise saying the party will not issue any direct ticket.
“All aspirants must go to the people and seek their support, we will carry free and fair nominations. There are no direct nominations in DCP,” Gachagua assured 2027 party aspirants.
The assurance comes amid speculation that the party had ‘given out’ tickets to some aspirants ahead of the next elections.
The ex-DP also warned ODM against what he termed as President William Ruto’s plans to finish the outfit and render it useless ahead of 2027.
He cautioned that the Orange Party risks losing its influence in Nairobi if they stick with the Ruto-led UDA.
“Ruto is killing ODM. My advice to ODM is that you will lose every seat in Nairobi if you keep following Ruto; he only has 24,000 votes in a corner here in Lang’ata in Nairobi. Where else will they get their seats from while clinging to Ruto? ” he asked.
He implored Governors James Orengo (Siaya) and Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) not to allow the takeover of what he termed as the legacy of the former revered leader.
“Ruto has destroyed ODM and we are very saddened. He told me that he would finish ODM while I was serving as his deputy,” he added.
He further extended an invitation to ODM’s Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to join his party.
“I have heard that Ruto wants to kick out Sifuna when he buys the ODM party. I want to tell Sifuna, You’re a good leader. If Ruto kicks you out; you are welcome to DCP,” he said.
“Ruto has also threatened to chase Babu. He is also welcome to DCP. Come home; this is your home. DCP is a party for all Kenyan patriots and great leaders like them will get space here. If they feel uncomfortable in DCP, they can also join Wiper.”
Speaking on Wednesday when he received DCP winners following last week’s by-elections, Gachagua announced his party will field aspirants in all elective seats shutting the door on any internal negotiations.
“Let me reiterate the position of our party, DCP, in 2027 general election, DCP will have a presidential candidate, we shall field governors in the 47 counties, senators in 47 counties, Members of Parliament in 290 constituencies, and MCAs in 14,450 wards across the country,” Gachagua announced.
Gachagua’s declaration now injects fresh uncertainty into unity efforts already strained by internal competition and mistrust.
His remarks sharply contradict ongoing opposition coalition negotiations that have been pushing for a joint candidate to challenge President Ruto.
Insiders say the announcement has rattled the United Opposition, which has been banking on consolidation to avoid splitting votes.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
With unity talks already delicate, Gachagua’s push for a standalone presidential bid adds a new twist—one that could force coalition leaders back to the drawing board as they weigh whether to accommodate DCP’s ambitions or move forward without it.
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