- Rigathi Gachagua reiterated his claim that the DCP would dominate the Nairobi seats in 2027, even as devolution debates fueled fresh political tensions
- He insisted that there was no conflict within the Opposition and said his zoning remarks were misinterpreted
- Gachagua rejected the coalition partners’ claims of bullying and said that avoiding friendly clashes in Nairobi has been a long-term agreement.
- He opposed attempts to call the DCP a tribal party and accused the opponents of misrepresenting his statements
Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Rigathi Gachagua He has emphasized his belief that his party will take most of the electoral seats in Nairobi during the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
The former Member of Parliament for Mathira insisted that there is no strife within the Opposition despite the growing debate about the allocation of areas.
During an interview on KTN News on Wednesday, December 11, the former vice president rejected suggestions that he was harassing other parties or imposing DCP’s expectations on coalition partners.
“I don’t think I have said it is my way or the highway, but I am the leader of the DCP party, and I have my own party to advertise. I must advertise my party, and I must fight for its rightful position in any period,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua said his comments on the allocation of seats were taken out of context, saying that the media had created the impression that he was dictating how the seats should be allocated.
What agreement did Kenya’s opposition parties make?
He explained that the Union Opposition already had little understanding of avoiding “friendly fighting” in Nairobi, noting that past voting patterns showed how infighting could return the city to their main rival, the United Democratic Union (UDA).
Gachagua said that his remarks were not about separating the Wiper Party and its leader, Kalonzo Musyokaadding that as DCP leader, he will defend his party in the coalition.
“What we agreed as the United Opposition in Nairobi is that we will have a plan where we will not have friendly fights because we will lose. Nairobi is difficult and there are voting systems that have existed in history. Areas where Wiper is strong, areas where DCP is strong, if Wiper and DCP fight, we can give space to UDA. I said I will fight for DCP to be given a governor, a senator, a woman representative. I will fight,” Gachagua said.
Instead, he said he was explaining a plan the two had discussed, how to prevent vote splitting in areas where DCP or Wiper usually vote strongly.
According to Gachagua, the misunderstanding arose after the media reported that he had declared Nairobi’s top seats as already reserved for the DCP, stressing that he had never made such a claim.
“What I was saying is that we have a plan, that is true. Even Kalonzo has clarified. He did not say that we have not spoken. What he was correcting was the impression given by the media that I said these seats are reserved for DCP. I have never said such a thing. No, no, that is what I said. I said myself between DCP and Wiper, we will take 16 out of 17,” the DCP leader added.
Does the DCP party have a national chapter?
The DCP leader further disputed the argument that his party was led by ethnic groups, accusing sections of the media of trying to call DCP a Kikuyu party.
Gachagua claimed that the story was being fueled by the President’s associates William Rutosaying that DCP won outside Mount Kenya, including Kisa, Narok and Nairobi, as proof that the party had national appeal.
“The journalists kept saying that I said these seats belong to the Kikuyus. Because the media, most of them have been taken by William Ruto to say that the DCP is a Kikuyu party. The DCP is not a Kikuyu party,” Gachagua announced.
Source: UGC
He also defended his remarks about Kalonzo’s influence in Nairobi politics, saying that he recognized the Wiper leader’s role in the previous victory.
According to the DCP leader, this was being ignored by those trying to paint him as an enemy to Wiper and his leader.
“People want to misrepresent what I am saying, that DCP will take everything, or DCP wants to scare Wiper. In fact, I continued to confirm the position of Kalonzo Musyoka in Nairobi politics. I did that. I said this guy has been making ODM win all these seats and I want this time to help me in DCP to win most of those seats,” the former DP said.
What was Gachagua’s request to ODM?
Elsewhere, Gachagua called on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to break ranks with Ruto and join a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former vice president said ODM risks weakening its political base if it continues to support the administration of Kenya First.
He urged the party to sit with opposition leaders and explore unity to oppose Ruto’s bid for re-election.
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