Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has unveiled an ambitious plan to turn DCP into a dominant political force, saying he is targeting at least 100 MPs.
Gachagua said he also wants a clean electoral sweep of Mt Kenya with a win an all governors and a majority of MCAs in the 2027 General Election.
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Speaking during a church service at ACK St Philip's and St Mary Magdalene Church in Kiambaa, Kiambu county, on Sunday, Gachagua said he wants to build a formidable regional political vehicle modelled on Raila Odinga's ODM.
He said he wants a party capable of protecting the region's interests and remaining influential regardless of who forms the national government.
The DCP leader said the lessons of the 2022 General Election, when Mt Kenya rallied behind President William Ruto through the UDA, had convinced him that the region needed its own political party.
"I had 18 foot soldiers. The people of Ol Kalou helped me and added another one, so they are now 19. Here in Kiambu I only have Senator Karungo Thang'wa. In the coming election I am looking for 100 foot soldiers. Will you give me one here in Kiambaa?" Gachagua asked the congregation.
The DCP leader urged Mt Kenya residents to rally behind a single political outfit, saying unity under one party would strengthen the region's bargaining power in national politics.
"We only have one vehicle in this region—not two. When we become divided, we become weak," he said.
In acknowledgement of Raila's political strategy, Gachagua praised the former Prime Minister for building a strong party that remained relevant even after losing presidential elections.
"We didn't like Raila very much on this side, but he was a wise old man. He built very strong parties and even when he was not elected President, there was no government he did not join," Gachagua said.
"After elections, he would go home and wait to be invited into government. If he wasn't invited, his supporters would take to the streets and eventually he would strike a deal."
He said DCP intends to replicate that model by ensuring it commands a strong parliamentary presence and controls county governments across Mt Kenya.
Borrowing directly from Raila's playbook, Gachagua said his target is to have 100 MPs, governors across the region and a majority of Members of County Assembly elected on the party's ticket.
According to him, such numbers would enable Mt Kenya leaders to negotiate from a position of strength and speak with one voice on national issues.
He linked the strategy to his impeachment last year, saying the region had learnt painful lessons about the dangers of lacking sufficient political numbers.
Drawing a military analogy, Gachagua said communities must prepare for future political battles long before they arise.
"Kenya has never gone to war since 1963, yet every month we pay soldiers. Why? Because when danger comes, you must be prepared. The same applies to us. If there is no problem, well and good. But when there is an imminent threat, we must have the numbers," he said.
He vowed to continue traversing the region to persuade leaders and residents to rally behind one political party.
"Every estate has its own matatu route. We must all board the same and correct matatu. That matatu is the green one," he said, referring to DCP's party colours.
Gachagua's remarks come as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders working to consolidate their respective regional strongholds before unveiling a grand coalition.
The former Deputy President has been leading DCP's mobilisation across the Mt Kenya region, while former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has intensified engagements in Kisii and Migori.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka continues to consolidate Ukambani, as DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa expands his influence in parts of Western Kenya.
Meanwhile, Gachagua also renewed his criticism of Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin over what he described as rising cases of extrajudicial killings involving rogue police officers.
He cited the recent fatal shootings of Dr Victoria Mutiso, Mt Elgon parliamentary aspirant Nathan Wasama and Rachel Wandeto, claiming the incidents have worsened Kenya's security image.
The former Deputy President appealed to the international community to intervene, arguing that continued cases of police killings and goonism were undermining investor confidence and the country's tourism sector.
"That is why we are asking tourists and investors to wait a little because they are not safe. What kind of a country are we living in where police officers have become assassins?" he said, adding that even ambassadors and their staff are not safe.
