Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has stepped up political mobilisation in the Mount Kenya region after meeting more than 100 aspiring leaders from Kirinyaga County at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri.
Mr Gachagua said he hosted 134 aspirants seeking various seats under his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), including governor, senator, woman representative, members of the National Assembly and members of the county assembly.
The former deputy president promised the aspirants that the party would conduct credible nominations and urged them to intensify recruitment of members ahead of the exercise.
“I have given them a firm undertaking that our party, DCP, shall conduct free and fair nominations for all positions,” Mr Gachagua said.
He said the nominations will be based on the party’s membership register and encouraged the aspirants to step up recruitment across the county.
“I encouraged them to step up recruitment of party members since nominations will be conducted using the party’s members register,” he said.
Mr Gachagua also criticised leaders allied to President William Ruto, accusing them of betraying the interests of the Mount Kenya region.
“I have urged them to work hard to be elected; all traitors of the Kenyan people and our community who are helping William Ruto persecute our people must be voted out without fear or favour,” he said.
The meeting comes as political activity begins to intensify in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, with leaders positioning themselves ahead of the next General Election.
Mr Gachagua has in recent months been rallying support for the Democracy for Citizens Party, which he says will offer a political platform for leaders dissatisfied with the current administration.
The push follows his dramatic fallout with President Ruto that led to his removal from office. Mr Gachagua was impeached by Parliament in 2024 after a bitter political dispute within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
After his exit, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was nominated and later approved by Parliament to replace him as deputy president.
Since then, Mr Gachagua has repeatedly accused the government of sidelining the Mount Kenya region and attempting to divide it politically.
Allies of President Ruto have dismissed the claims, maintaining that the government remains focused on delivering development projects across the country.
Even so, Mr Gachagua has continued to hold meetings with grassroots leaders and aspiring politicians across counties in the region as he seeks to consolidate support for his new party ahead of future elections.
