DCP seeks to unite Mt Kenya vote behind Gachagua

The Democratic Congress Party (DCP) has stepped up efforts to consolidate its support in Mt Kenya, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua using a rally in Murang’a town to rally residents behind the party ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The mobilisation came at a significant time for the region, with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro having recently unveiled his own political party. 

Murang’a town, where Gachagua addressed residents, is in Nyoro’s Kiharu constituency, regarded as his political backyard, putting the DCP push in the midst of an emerging contest for influence in the county.

The former deputy president accused some Mt Kenya leaders of betraying the region by allegedly aligning themselves with the government for personal interests, warning that they would be targeted under his “Operation Fagia” campaign.

“I have come here to Murang’a to announce that everybody who has been working with the government will go home together with it,” Gachagua said.

Murang'a senator Joe Nyutu addressing Murang'a town residents on August 20, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

Gachagua urged residents to reject what he described as attempts to weaken the region politically, asking them not to be distracted and focus on building the party.

"We've started the journey. Let us not be distracted by this or that. Once you've started a journey, you stick to the lane".

Gachagua also threw his weight behind Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, saying the governor had performed well and deserved an opportunity to continue serving.

He further rallied support for Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, praising him and recalling his role in campaigning for the party in Ol Kalou by-elections, in what appeared to be an effort to strengthen the party’s preferred candidates in the county.

Gachagua accused police officers of harassing Murang’a residents and warned against what he termed attempts to cause chaos in the country.

Gachagua later toured Kigumo and Kandara sub-counties where he held similar rallies after opening the party's offices in Murang'a town.

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu later urged residents to remain united behind Gachagua, recalling that the region had supported Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 election alongside Gachagua and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro before their fallout with the President.

Nyutu said the political developments had pushed the region to rally behind Gachagua, whom he portrayed as the leader capable of giving direction to the Mt Kenya region.

“We saw that our region was being driven towards ruin, so we decided to speak out and follow Rigathi,” Nyutu said.

He warned that Kenya Kwanza could win if the Mt Kenya region and the wider opposition divided themselves, calling for a united political front ahead of the next election.

Nyutu said the region needed one national leader and one political vehicle, with the crowd repeatedly naming Gachagua as their preferred leader.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu also backed the call for unity, warning against any plan to split the Mt Kenya vote by supporting different political formations in the region.

He said the region needed to remain united and resist attempts to fragment their political influence.

“I have bad news for you from here in Kiharu. We, the people of Mt Kenya, will vote for one person, one party and one leader,” Methu said.