A simmering dispute over whether to admit defectors from President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is exposing the first major cracks within former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), pitting the party leader against some of his closest allies and aspiring candidates.
The row centres on Mr Gachagua's recent shift from his hardline position that politicians who remained loyal to President Ruto after his impeachment should never be trusted again, to a more conciliatory stance that they should be allowed to join DCP, provided they compete fairly in party primaries.
The proposal, however, has sparked resistance from elected leaders, party officials and aspirants, many of whom insist that former UDA loyalists should remain locked out of the party.
The disagreement comes at a delicate moment for Mr Gachagua , who is seeking to transform himself from a regional political kingpin into a national opposition figure ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua speaks to the media at the party offices in Nairobi on July 10, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
While Gachagua’s allies argue that opening the party to defectors could dilute the sacrifices made by those who stood with him after his October 2024 impeachment, critics say shutting the door would reinforce accusations by President Ruto that he is pursuing divisive politics.
Speaking to the Nation on July 5, Mr Gachagua defended his new position, saying the Constitution does not allow political discrimination and that all Kenyans should have the opportunity to join the party.
“The DCP think tank believes this is the most appropriate position. Those seeking to join us should be welcomed, but they must face party primaries so members can decide who carries our flag,” Mr Gachagua said.
He accused President Ruto of attempting to portray him as vindictive by challenging him publicly to reject UDA defectors.
“As party leader, I am being trapped into issuing a blanket condemnation against UDA members. Even President Ruto has made public declarations intended to set me up politically," Mr Gachagua said.
His position became even clearer on Sunday while addressing supporters in Kirinyaga County, where he gave President Ruto's allies a 10-day window to defect to DCP.
“For those who have sensed danger after the Ol Kalou whitewash, the doors are open until the end of this month,” he said.
Mr Gachagua also claimed that a Principal Secretary from Nyeri County had already contacted him expressing interest in joining the party.
“You are welcome, but you must come during the day, with the cameras rolling, so President Ruto can see you,” he said, adding that the official had allegedly participated in efforts to undermine the opposition during the Ol Kalou by-election.
The invitation marks a significant departure from Mr Gachagua's earlier rhetoric in which he repeatedly branded leaders who remained in UDA as “traitors” undeserving of future political support in the Mt Kenya region.
President Ruto has seized on those remarks to accuse his former deputy of promoting exclusionary politics.
President William Ruto takes selfies with young people during the launch of the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme at Ulinzi Sports Complex, Nairobi on July 10, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
Speaking during a church service in Embu earlier this month, the President criticised leaders who label political opponents as traitors.
“You hear some of them calling others tukunia (traitors) and making foolish statements about people who disagree with them. Those who imagine they are gatekeepers whom everyone must seek permission from before addressing the people are mistaken. That will not happen. This is the era of national unity,” President Ruto said.
Within DCP, however, many leaders fear that admitting former UDA politicians would betray party loyalists who stood by Mr Gachagua during his political fallout with the President.
The debate has dominated discussions during a 45-day conclave strategy retreat at Mr Gachagua's Wamunyoro home in Nyeri which began earlier this month and is expected to end on July 31.
Mt Kenya West DCP Aspirants' Caucus chairman Samuel Ngugi said the proposal had generated some of the most heated exchanges at the retreat.
“As we approach the final days of the conclave, one of the most contentious issues has been Mr Gachagua's proposal to admit leaders who impeached him, supported the Finance Bill 2024 and remained with UDA when our supporters were under attack," Mr Ngugi said.
"This could mark the beginning of the end for DCP. Many of those seeking to join us are financially powerful politicians. Our members fear the party could end up favouring money over loyalty."
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu echoed the concerns, arguing that opening the party to defectors would expose DCP to infiltration.
“Recent polls by researchers rank DCP at the top of most preferred political party in Mt Kenya region as well as its performance in the recent by-elections outside our region has resulted in many 2027 aspirants in this region start bidding for our tickets. Those in UDA have not been left behind where some have lobbied to be admitted into DCP by close of next month. Nandi Senator has gone public saying they are strategizing on how to infiltrate opposition parties in Mt Kenya through deceptive incorporation,” Mr Nyutu said.
Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Mr Nyutu said several meetings between Mr Gachagua and aspirants had become tense because many felt they had built the party from scratch.
“Those of us closer Mr Gachagua understand the dilemma he is in. He is being accused by UDA of being vindictive. He is being seen as a man preaching water and drinking wine when he says he is uniting the Mountain but at the same time profiling some of the community’s members stuck in President Ruto’s camp,” he said.
“Many of our aspirants come from humble backgrounds. Some of those seeking to join us command enormous financial resources. If they enter the party, they could easily buy influence within our structures. That would create an uneven playing field,” he said.
“No political party survives without discipline and loyalty. Those who stayed in UDA when we left made their choice. They stood with power instead of the people. We own both Mr Gachagua and DCP and we will absorb the blame on his behalf… None in UDA will join us,” he said.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara in Parliament.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said the debate reflected the growing confidence of party members who believe they have a stake in both Mr Gachagua's political future and the direction of DCP.
“The party members and the supporters are the one who received Mr Gachagua when he was impeached. They encouraged him to forget the setback and redefine himself in Mt Kenya region. You can remember that those in UDA started being rejected in public functions to a point that even the president himself started getting jeered in the public space of Mt Kenya region. It is a tough decision that we must seek consensus about,” Ms Kihara said.
She, however, dismissed suggestions that the disagreement threatened to split the party.
“Since we are only being called upon to set our rules of procedure as a unique political establishment that seeks to cleanse our community off opportunistic self-serving leaders and inculcate the culture of treating our voters as the supreme decision makers… They have told us they don’t love traitors and that is how it will be,” Ms Kihara said.
Although Mr Gachagua has indicated that the issue will ultimately be determined by party organs in September, the debate has already exposed the competing interests he must balance as he seeks to broaden his national appeal without alienating the grassroots supporters who have become the backbone of his political resurgence.
