Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei speaking at a past event / SAMSON CHERARGEI XNandi Senator Samson Cherargei has alleged that the Kenya Kwanza administration’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) plans to back a government-friendly candidate to contest the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat through the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Tuesday, Cherargei claimed some aspirants within the opposition-linked DCP risk being sidelined.
“I want to warn all aspirants under the DCP that it is the highest auction in the house. Some of us have intelligence that the people who are funded will be given the party tickets by the DCP,” Cherargei claimed.
Neither DCP nor UDA had officially responded to Cherargei’s specific claims by the time of publication.
Cherargei further claimed that the Kenya Kwanza administration intends to maintain political influence in the Mt Kenya region.
“As the government, Mt Kenya is a stronghold of UDA. We will not allow anybody or some individuals to masquerade. We are going to have our candidates in UDA and also in DCP, but they sing UDA at night,” he said.
He added that leaders allied to the administration wanted individuals perceived as friendly to the government elected in Kirinyaga County.
“I was in Kirinyaga, where we have some women representatives there. We must ensure we win; we must have people who are friendly to the government,” Cherargei said.
The senator also referenced Gachagua’s recent visit to the United Kingdom, alleging that the former deputy president failed to meet his targets during the trip. However, Cherargei did not provide evidence to support the claims.
Gachagua’s allies have previously defended the UK visit, saying the former deputy president shortened the trip to return home and address concerns raised by Kenyans over the rising cost of living.
In an earlier instance, Gachagua also cancelled a planned London tour to oversee DCP nominations for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
“I will prioritise overseeing the nomination process as we prepare for the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election,” Gachagua said at the time.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu later defended the decision on Kameme FM, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen the party at the grassroots.
The Kirinyaga governor race is expected to be one of the most competitive political contests in the Mt Kenya region ahead of 2027, with Governor Anne Waiguru set to complete her second and final term in office.
Among those linked to the race is former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici, who has since aligned herself with opposition politics after parting ways with UDA.
“I will join any opposition party, DCP, PLP, Jubilee or DP, so long as it is in the opposition,” Ngirici said previously.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina, who was elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, has also emerged as one of DCP’s vocal supporters in the Mt Kenya region.
Cherargei, however, dismissed growing opposition influence in the region, maintaining that Mt Kenya remains supportive of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“All these others are noise makers,” he said.
