Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has settled on the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as his new political vehicle, marking a significant step in his battle against President William Ruto.
Gachagua, who resigned from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on May 12, 2025, is set to unveil the new party on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Nairobi.
He and his allies have remained tight-lipped about the party’s name as part of a deliberate strategy to avoid the prying eyes of state operatives. However, it has emerged that Gachagua has settled on DCP, which was officially registered on February 3, 2025.
The party’s colours are green, brown, and black, and its logo features a hand touching an ear, symbolising “listening to the ground.” The party’s slogan is Kazi na Haki (Work and Justice).
The former deputy president has built his political message around listening to the people, who he claims no longer subscribe to the UDA party that once helped him and President Ruto rise to power.
While the launch venue remains undisclosed, reports suggest that Gachagua may reveal the party name on Thursday, May 15, 2025, and plan a major jamboree to officially launch the party later in the month.
Ahead of the ceremony, Gachagua and his allies spent most of Tuesday evening in a closed-door meeting to craft the party’s leadership structure and fill key positions.
Those listed as members of DCP’s governing body include: Thomas Ratemo, Ado Yiembo, Mably Owino, Hussein Athman, Laura Njeri, Abdifatah Abdullahi, Joy Gatugi, Jeremiah Mong’eri, Joel Sang, John Maranga, Miriam Fredina Mariki, and Brenda Banjira Omusinda.
Gachagua is seeking to popularise his party to form a coalition with Opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya), and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, among others.
Following his impeachment and dramatic fallout with President Ruto, Gachagua has kept both political allies and opponents guessing about which political vehicle he would use in the 2027 elections.
During a roundtable interview with Egesa FM on Monday, May 12, 2025, Gachagua stated that his party would bring together political leaders from different regions.
“I am launching a national party this week with its roots in Mount Kenya,” he said.
In his resignation from the UDA party, Gachagua denounced it as “the most dangerous political moment for the people and the Republic of Kenya.”
He accused the party of betraying its founding principles and charged its leadership with driving the country toward economic collapse, institutional decay, and constitutional violations.
Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, a close ally of Gachagua, revealed on Tuesday that he will seek elective office under the new party.
“We said we must look for a political vehicle, and we have agreed that it is the one by Wamunyoro. I invite all of you to join us in Nairobi, where we will be unveiling our new political party. The chairman of this party will be from Kajiado County,” he said in Kajiado.
Seki, who is among those eyeing the Kajiado governorship to succeed Joseph Ole Lenku, expressed confidence that Gachagua will build a new movement to rally Kenyans around a fresh vision for the country.
by JAMES MBAKA
