In a dramatic twist that could reshape the political contours of Mount Kenya and beyond, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) — widely associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua — was officially unveiled this morning in Lavington. The launch, cloaked in calculated secrecy until now, has sent ripples across Kenya Kwanza’s political ecosystem, revealing growing rifts and re-alignments within the ruling coalition.
The unveiling ceremony was marked by a blend of anticipation and symbolism. With party colours of green, brown, and black, and a logo depicting a hand touching an ear — a nod to its slogan Kazi na Haki (Work and Justice) — DCP has positioned itself as a “listening party,” drawing directly from Gachagua’s populist narrative that “the people have left UDA.”
Gachagua and his allies had previously kept the name under wraps to avoid surveillance and sabotage from perceived state operatives. The party was quietly registered on February 3, 2025, and today’s launch marks the first public signal of the former deputy president’s intent to chart an independent political course — potentially away from President William Ruto’s camp.
President Ruto’s senior economic adviser, Moses Kuria, stirred the political pot further by expressing enthusiastic support for the DCP’s formation — a surprising gesture considering his own party, Chama Cha Kazi (CCK), is also eyeing dominance in the vote-rich Mount Kenya bloc.
“I actively participated in the fight for multi-partyism and the scrapping of Section 2A. I believe in plurality in politics. As such, I fully welcome the launch of the DCP Party,” Kuria stated, invoking his credentials in Kenya’s democratic struggles.
Yet his support was not without sting. In a social media post on May 11, Kuria warned of a “Battle Royale” on the horizon, boasting that his own party is “back with a bang” ahead of looming by-elections and the swearing-in of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). His statement signaled a looming clash of ambitions between two Mount Kenya titans.
The DCP’s leadership features a blend of political newcomers and regional figures, including Thomas Ratemo, Ado Yiembo, Mably Owino, Hussein Athman, and Laura Njeri. This governing council suggests a broader ethnic and regional appeal, with insiders hinting at plans to align with key Opposition leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), and even former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
Political analysts see the DCP launch as a strategic bid by Gachagua to position himself as a kingpin in Mount Kenya, amid growing dissatisfaction with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). His vision of a single political vehicle for the region — aimed at consolidating bargaining power at the national table — is likely to meet resistance from Kuria and other regional players with similar ambitions.
As Kenya edges toward the next electoral cycle, all eyes are on Mount Kenya. Will Gachagua’s DCP coalesce the region’s votes under one banner, or will Kuria’s return complicate the arithmetic? One thing is clear — the game is on, and the stakes are as high as the Aberdare peaks.
By Kelly Were
