The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has dismissed claims by Juja Member of Parliament (MP) George Koimburi that he defected from the party, calling him a spy for President William Ruto.
In a statement issued on Thursday, DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga said Koimburi never officially joined the party and never participated in its activities. The party accused him of spying for Ruto in exchange for leniency in 15 criminal cases, including land fraud, forged academic certificates, and self-abduction.
Koimburi announced his departure from DCP on January 14 and pledged allegiance to Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition. He blamed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the party leader, for betrayal.
Koimburi said Gachagua allowed his 2022 election rival, Aloise Kinyanjui, to join DCP and address crowds in Juja constituency on January 11.
“I was Gachagua’s diehard supporter. I have even gone to the cell because of him. I respected him deeply,” Koimburi said
He described DCP as a party of “conmanship” and internal betrayal, claiming Gachagua promised direct nominations for MPs who opposed his 2024 impeachment.
DCP’s response detailed a meeting held on January 12 between Koimburi, Gachagua, and Deputy Chairperson Peter Mwathi. During the meeting, Koimburi demanded Kinyanjui’s expulsion and a written guarantee of direct nomination for the 2027 elections.
He also asked to skip public events with Gachagua until February to ease pressure from his criminal cases. Koimburi warned that he would rejoin Ruto if his demands were not met.
Gachagua thanked him for past support but refused his requests, stressing the party’s commitment to democratic nominations. “DCP is a Democratic Party, and all those who intend to fly its flag for all positions would be determined in free and fair party nominations,” the statement quoted Gachagua.
The party also highlighted Koimburi’s alleged self-abduction last year to dodge arrest over land fraud. Gachagua had publicly defended him, only to discover it was a “classical con game”.
DCP noted that Koimburi avoided party events for six months, raising suspicions among allies about his loyalty.
“Indeed, despite having been an ally of the party leader, he has not accompanied him in any public function for the last six months while giving all manner of excuses,” Obaga said.
“His colleagues have been apprehensive of his loyalty to the cause after information came through that he had been recruited by William Ruto to spy on our movements in exchange for slowing down the prosecution of 15 criminal cases on land fraud, forgery of academic certificates, and self-abduction.”
After the meeting, Koimburi confirmed he would attend a DCP MPs’ retreat over the weekend and posed for photos with Gachagua, which his supporters shared to show loyalty.
Despite this, DCP insisted Koimburi never truly belonged to the party. The party wished him success in his “party of choice” and assured aspirants of fair 2027 nominations under the National Elections Board.
