By Andrew Kariuki
Fresh cracks have emerged within former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) following a wave of high-profile defections that have cast doubt on the stability of the new political outfit.
According to reports, Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has formally quit the party, citing internal betrayal and what he described as a leadership style that allowed rivals in his constituency to undermine him politically.
Koimburi, who has been a close ally of Gachagua, said the party’s internal structure failed to protect its members on the ground, leaving him politically exposed.
His exit adds to a growing list of leaders who have distanced themselves from the former Deputy President’s camp since the formation of DCP, raising questions about cohesion and internal trust within the party.
Reports indicate that several prominent figures previously aligned with Gachagua have already walked away, including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, Kangema MP Peter Irungu, former Nyeri Town MP and political strategist Ngunjiri Wambugu and former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri.
Their departures have significantly weakened the party’s footprint in key Mount Kenya constituencies.
According to People Daily, the exodus may not be over, with insiders revealing that additional Members of Parliament are actively considering abandoning the party.
Among those reportedly weighing their options are a Murang’a MP who has long defended Gachagua, a Western Kenya legislator holding a strategic role within DCP and a Mount Kenya East MP who has consistently been on the front line of his political defence.
The reported outreach efforts aimed at persuading remaining legislators to exit the party suggest a coordinated realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
Political observers note that the defections reflect broader uncertainty about leadership direction, party discipline and electoral viability as Kenya’s political landscape continues to shift.
