Gachagua raids Jubilee as Uhuru ex-allies troop to DCP

Gachagua is gradually tapping into key political figures in the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party as he builds support for his Democracy for the Citizens Party to be the dominant party in Mt Kenya.

The latest to join Gachagua’s camp from from Jubilee Party is former Ruiru MP Esther Gathogo.

Gathogo is seeking to recapture the Ruiru  seat from Simon King’ara of UDA, who beat her in the 2022 polls.

The addition of Gathogo comes soon after that of former Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi, who will be seeking to recapture the seat from Wambugu Wainaina of UDA.

Mugambi also joined DCP soon after Eala MP and former Kieni legislator Kanini Kega joined the outfit. Last Sunday, Kega joined Gachagua in his first political meeting in different stopovers in Nairobi.

Kega was a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the last administration, and remained among the few legislators in Mt Kenya to seek re-election on the then ruling party.

Although he lost his bid for a third term, Kega was elected Eala legislator in an arrangement that Gachagua took credit for, despite their political differences.

Gachagua said he instructed Kenya Kwanza MPs from the Mt Kenya region to vote for Kega, despite him having been a harsh critic of him and President William Ruto during the 2022 election campaign.

Kega, however, fell out with Uhuru alongside Jubilee-nominated MP Sabina Chege after an attempt to take over the party.

Coming at a time the Gachagua camp was bleeding following the exit of Juja MP George Koimburi and his Githunguri counterpart Gathoni wa Muchomba, Kega’s entry is seen as symbolic gain in the contest for influence in the Mt Kenya region and beyond. He is among the few legislators who have served for more than one term in the region.

His alignment with Gachagua also comes amid a broader push by the former Deputy President to consolidate support among leaders who previously belonged and currently to Jubilee.

These include former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, DCP’s deputy national chairperson in charge of strategy, foirmer Kiambu MP Jude Jomo and Starehe’s Maina Kamanda.

Kamanda’s successor Amos Mwago, who was also elected on Jubilee Party, has aligned with Gachagua.

Having expressed dissatisfaction with former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid on Jubilee Party, Gachagua seems to have gone ahead to ensure DCP’s dominance, regardless of Uhuru’s party’s activities.

Gachagua has repeatedly said DCP will be the party for Mt Kenya, and he has recently expanded to Nairobi and the Maa region.

Since parting ways with Ruto, Gachagua has intensified efforts to position himself as a key political force in the Mt Kenya region, a traditionally crucial voting bloc in general elections.

To help achieve this, he has reached out to experienced former Jubilee leaders and local politicians seeking new platforms ahead of the next polls.

Kega’s move is particularly notable given his past prominence in Jubilee as Budget chairman and his role in earlier efforts to maintain the party’s presence in the region.

Over the past few months, Gachagua has held a series of meetings and political engagements aimed at rallying leaders under the DCP banner.

These forums have often focused on regional unity, political representation and the need for leaders to reorganise ahead of 2027.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu told the Star the approach seeks to ensure DCP has strong known political figures who can restore the “Kibakis and Matibas” stature of politics.

Noting that Jubilee is not a threat to DCP as it had served its time and purpose, Muriu said more leaders will join from UDA.

The developments come at a time when Jubilee itself has been grappling with internal challenges and shifting loyalties among its members.

Some of its leaders have remained loyal to the party’s leadership, while others have explored alliances with emerging political groupings.

Analysts say the contest for influence in the Mt Kenya region is likely to intensify as different camps seek to consolidate their support ahead of the next General Election cycle.

Dennis Mwangi opines that the region’s political direction is expected to play a significant role in shaping national alliances and determining the balance of power in 2027 — and that’s what Gachagua is looking at.

“To do this, you need experienced hands at it. Gachagua is a novice in politics, having served only one term as MP on his first attempt, leading a young party,” he said.

“He has publicly admitted making mistakes in 2022, despite the likes of Moses Kuria and William Kabogo proposing a Mt Kenya party. That’s where these former Jubilee MPs come in.”