Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fresh political offensive against President William Ruto, accusing the Head of State of using state resources, voter bribery and intimidation to survive politically amid growing dissatisfaction across the country.
Speaking after a meeting of the DCP National Executive Council in Nairobi on Monday, Gachagua declared that the party’s performance in the recent Emurua Dikirr by-election signaled a major political shift in the Rift Valley, a region traditionally considered President Ruto’s stronghold.
The former Deputy President claimed that although DCP candidate Vincent Rotich lost narrowly, the outcome demonstrated that the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party was rapidly losing public confidence.
“We knew we had won the election, but voter bribery and intimidation by William Ruto and his wheelbarrow party brought in a shade of darkness,” Gachagua said.
The outspoken opposition leader alleged that the Kenya Kwanza administration was increasingly relying on money, state machinery and fear tactics to maintain political influence.
“It is clear Mr. William Ruto and his lost brigade cannot get votes anywhere in Kenya without paying heavily and using guns and goons,” he charged.
Gachagua further accused the government of diverting public resources meant for essential services such as healthcare, education and infrastructure into political campaigns.
“That is not his money. It is money meant for our roads, our children in schools and struggling cancer patients in hospitals,” he said.
The remarks mark the latest escalation in the widening political fallout between President Ruto and his former deputy, whose impeachment dramatically reshaped Kenya’s political landscape and triggered new alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
DCP Eyes Expansion Into Rift Valley
Despite losing the Emurua Dikirr contest, Gachagua portrayed the outcome as a symbolic victory for DCP, arguing that the party had managed to penetrate what was once considered an unshakable political base for President Ruto.
According to the former Deputy President, the by-election had generated growing interest from aspirants across North Rift and South Rift regions seeking to contest future elections on the DCP ticket.
“We have received overwhelming interest from aspirants from both North Rift and South Rift regions who want to run on DCP Party. We say welcome to your party,” he announced.
As part of efforts to strengthen the party nationally, the DCP leadership unveiled several new appointments targeting regional inclusivity and grassroots mobilization.
Among those appointed were advocate Edgar Busiega from Kakamega County as Secretary for Information and Technology, Leonard Cheruyoit from Narok County as Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Abdi Noor Mohamed from Wajir County as Chairperson of the County Coordinating Committee, and Wilson Kanyago Ndung’u from Nairobi as Chairperson of the Students’ Caucus.
The party also proposed Nyandarua Senator John Methu as Secretary General Designate, with current Secretary General Hezron Obaga taking over as Executive Director deputized by Brenda Banjara from Busia County.
Gachagua said Senator Methu alongside Hon. Wanjiku Muhia would spearhead DCP campaigns in the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election.
DCP Boasts Rapid Growth
The former Deputy President used the briefing to showcase what he described as DCP’s growing national appeal ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to figures released by the party, DCP has already attracted:
- 34 gubernatorial aspirants
- 98 Senate aspirants
- 764 parliamentary aspirants
- 11,564 MCA aspirants
- More than 4.5 million internally registered members
Gachagua however accused the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties of frustrating defections from rival political parties, especially UDA members seeking to join DCP.
“We have received a fair share of frustration from the Registrar of Political Parties. They have frustrated members resigning from other parties, especially UDA, who want to join DCP,” he alleged.
Gachagua Raises Alarm Over President Ruto’s Security
In a surprising turn, Gachagua also expressed concern over President Ruto’s personal security, warning that instability could arise if anything were to happen to the Head of State.
The former Deputy President insisted that despite his political differences with President Ruto, he wanted him removed democratically through the ballot in 2027 and not through violence.
“Inasmuch as we want William Ruto out, we want him out through the ballot on 10th August 2027,” Gachagua stated.
He warned that any harm directed at the President could destabilize the country due to Ruto’s significant support base.
“We do not like William Ruto. Not a dime. But we are responsible leaders. If anything happens to him, our nation could be destabilized,” he warned.
Gachagua went further to draw parallels with the 1994 Rwanda plane crash that killed Presidents Juvenal Habyarimana and Cyprian Ntaryamira, an event that triggered the Rwandan genocide.
Murkomen Comes Under Sharp Attack
Much of Gachagua’s criticism was directed at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, whom he described as inexperienced and incapable of managing the country’s security apparatus.
In one of his sharpest attacks yet, Gachagua branded Murkomen “juvenile,” “thoughtless” and “a minister of entertainment.”
“The man only smiles when he has a new belt, a new gold watch or excessive attire. He cannot sit down and coordinate a security meeting,” Gachagua claimed.
He accused the Interior CS of failing to address insecurity in parts of the country, including Mandera and Meru counties, where banditry and cross-border insecurity remain major concerns.
The former Deputy President also alleged that President Ruto had weakened his own security by replacing experienced officers with individuals from his ethnic community.
According to Gachagua, some presidential security officers had privately complained about delayed allowances and poor welfare.
“They have not been paid allowances for four months. Please pay your security. They are unhappy and cannot concentrate,” he said.
Political Temperatures Rising Ahead of 2027
Gachagua’s latest remarks are expected to further heighten political tensions between the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza administration as early campaigns for the 2027 General Election intensify.
The former Deputy President has increasingly positioned himself as one of President Ruto’s fiercest critics following his impeachment, while simultaneously seeking to consolidate support across the Mt Kenya region and parts of the Rift Valley.
Political analysts view the Emurua Dikirr by-election as an early test of shifting political loyalties in the Rift Valley and a potential indicator of growing cracks within President Ruto’s support base.
With DCP now aggressively courting aspirants nationwide and openly challenging UDA in traditional strongholds, Kenya’s political landscape appears headed for an intense and highly polarized contest ahead of 2027.
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