Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday intensified his political mobilisation in Central Kenya, hosting aspirants from Nyeri County at his Wamunyoro home as his Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) stepped up preparations for next year’s General Election.
Mr Gachagua said the meeting, which brought together aspirants seeking seats ranging from governor to the county assembly, underscored the party’s commitment to constant engagement with its grassroots base. He said DCP would prioritise aggressive membership recruitment to ensure credible and participatory party primaries.
“Continuous engagement with our party members is our modus operandi,” Mr Gachagua said, adding that the party had agreed on enhanced recruitment to allow members to take part in “free and fair party primaries”.
The former deputy president said the party was aiming for a clean sweep of all elective seats in Nyeri County, including the governor, senator and woman representative positions, the six constituencies and all 30 seats in the county assembly.
“We have committed to work hard in popularising our party to ensure it wins all the seats in the General Election slated for next year,” he said.
Mr Gachagua also announced new dates for public rallies in Othaya and Kieni constituencies after planned meetings were disrupted on Saturday. He accused police officers of damaging party vehicles and disabling sound systems, forcing the rallies to be called off.
“We have agreed on new dates for public rallies in Othaya and Kieni that aborted yesterday after police damaged our vehicles and demobilised our sound systems,” he said.
Police had not immediately responded to the claims by the time of publication.
The aborted rallies have added to complaints by opposition politicians who accuse the government of using security agencies to frustrate political activities by rival parties, an accusation the government has previously denied.
Mr Gachagua used the Nyeri meeting to project confidence in the DCP’s growing influence, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, saying the party had positioned itself as a strong alternative political vehicle.
“Our party, DCP Party, remains the party of choice in Nyeri County and indeed in the whole country,” he said.
The meeting comes amid heightened political activity in Central Kenya as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls. Nyeri County, often viewed as a bellwether in Mt Kenya politics, is expected to be a key battleground as leaders jostle for influence in a region that played a decisive role in the last two elections.
Since his fallout with President William Ruto’s administration, Mr Gachagua has intensified grassroots engagements across Central Kenya, holding meetings with local leaders, religious figures and aspirants as he seeks to consolidate his political base.
Analysts say the focus on party primaries and early mobilisation reflects growing concern among political actors over voter apathy and internal party disputes that have previously weakened outfits in the region.
With the election cycle drawing closer, the coming months are expected to see increased political activity in Nyeri and neighbouring counties, as parties race to lock in support and shape alliances that could determine the outcome of next year’s polls.
