Inside Gachagua’s plan to lock Mt Kenya for 2027

Key strategies include forging partnerships with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and harnessing key political talent such as Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

While Mr Gachagua is in DCP, Mr Kenyatta heads Jubilee Party, where he has named former Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i as his preferred presidential candidate. Mr Nyoro has yet to announce his 2027 plans, with supporters suggesting he may launch his own party.

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Mr Gachagua and Mr Nyoro have, in recent months, defended Mr Kenyatta against attacks from some ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) loyalists—indicating that the elders’ initiative is showing some promise.

However, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has challenged Mr Kenyatta to reciprocate and publicly commit to Mt Kenya unity.

“We are challenging Uhuru to show why he is not following the structures of community pointmen in the bid for power. In 2012, the then Internal Security CS John Michuki declared Uhuru as the community leader in the bid for 2013 power,” she said.

She added that during the 2017 elections, the region unanimously agreed Mr Kenyatta continue as the area pointman. But in 2022, he handed the baton to Mr Raila Odinga, prompting the Mountain to rebel and instead follow Mr Gachagua in supporting Dr Ruto.

“As we head to 2027, Mr Kenyatta is intending to pass the community baton to Dr Matiang’i—a move that needs serious review. Mr Kenyatta should accept that we have Mr Gachagua as the community baton bearer… that will be our insistence,” Ms Kihara said.

Mountain unity

As Mt Kenya unity is pursued, Mr Gachagua insists that the party of choice in the region is DCP, saying others with their own parties should compete for market share.

“My greatest concern is ensuring that the Mountain is united under DCP. That is the party I will be selling. Others can sell theirs. Our people will exercise free will to join. That is a capital project I must deliver—and I must deliver it under any cost,” Mr Gachagua told Kameme TV on January 12, 2026.

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To achieve this, Mr Gachagua is currently at the coast in a retreat with his diehard supporters.

“We are currently in Kilifi County, where we have retreated to review 2025 and plan ahead for the 2027 General Election,” Mr Gachagua announced on social media on January 17, 2026.

The retreat ends on January 19, 2026, and is “tailored towards remaining focused on the General Election when DCP intends to play a critical role in liberating this country from the bad leadership it is under,” he said.

Mr Gachagua cited infiltration by spies, traitors, and saboteurs within DCP, as well as poaching, intimidation, harassment, and violence by the incumbent’s supporters, as key challenges.

“From a loyalty base of about 20 foot soldiers, our numbers have diminished. But that is not a big deal because we are a people-driven formation. Our supporters want us to focus on ousting President Ruto in 2027. Those digressing are acting in bad faith, and their moment of reckoning will come,” he added.

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During the retreat, DCP Organising Secretary Mithika Linturi will guide members through plans to be rolled out in 2026.

Among those present are Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Kenar Ole Seki (Kajiado), John Kinyua (Laikipia), Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu), and Joe Nyutu (Murang'a).

The retreat also hosts MPs James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Mwangi Wandeto (Tetu), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-inj), Kamande Mwafrika (Roysambu), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina.

Nyeri County Assembly Speaker Gichuhi Mwangi and Baragwi MCA David Mathenge are also in attendance.

The list represents those who have remained steadfast in supporting DCP and Mr Gachagua amid counter-onslaughts by the state and its loyalists, who seek to limit Mr Gachagua’s grip on the Mountain and his influence at the national level.

Region tour

According to a DCP action plan seen by the Nation, Mr Gachagua intends to launch a two-month whistle-stop tour across Mt Kenya and allied counties to popularize himself and the party.

Counties in his radar include Nairobi, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Embu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Lamu, Narok, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Nyeri.

“One anticipated hindrance is the use of goons attacking our party leaders and supporters. But we have said enough is enough, and President Ruto should realise we will no longer submit to violence,” New Gema chairman Isaac Mungai told Nation on January 18, 2025.

Mr Mungai added: “Self-defense is a legally acceptable code of conduct in response to aggression. We will not entertain these goons in our activities. We must defend our party, leaders, and supporters against the state’s insistence on normalizing violence as a tool to secure its interests.”

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According to Mr Gachagua, the president and his loyalists should expect intensified political messaging portraying them as public enemies.

“In the Christian faith, we say that our salvation problems are Satan and those who follow him. In politics, especially with our 2027 goals, President Ruto and his loyalists are our problem. We will deal with them the way Christians battle Satan,” Mr Gachagua said.

He added, “We must tell all the bad things about President Ruto, his followers, and their government.”

This means that in Mt Kenya, President Ruto should expect to be represented as a bogeyman, as Mr Gachagua continues narratives aimed at generating euphoria against the head of state ahead of 2027.

Another key project is the cherry-picking of strong candidates to contest area seats.

“A party is as good as the leaders it has. While promising free and fair nominations, we must ensure that candidates seeking our tickets are thoroughly vetted. We must deliberately pursue integrity, loyalty, competence, and commitment,” he said.

Cleaning DCP of members branded as ‘sellouts’ will heighten conflict with President Ruto's loyalists.

“Let Mr Gachagua bring it on. President Ruto is not afraid of being targeted. He has survived many plots. We in Mt Kenya, who support his reelection, are ready to counter Mr Gachagua’s bogeyman narrative and attacks against our supporters,” said Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri on January 18, 2026.

Mr Gachagua said he will continue holding strategy and review meetings to strengthen his team of loyalists and mobilize funds to execute DCP budgets.

“We are okay on this front. DCP in the United Opposition is strong; besides having a huge Mt Kenya voting bloc, which we have expanded to include the Akamba people, I am not a financial pushover… I can mobilize funds,” he told Kameme TV on January 12, 2026.

He added that 2026 will also see DCP launch serious membership recruitment and pick grassroots officials to strengthen its mobilisation structures.

Addressing rumors that some of his political allies were leaving DCP to join President William Ruto’s team, Mr Gachagua dismissed the claims.

“That is propaganda. My deputy party leader, Cleopas Malala, is sick. He is a brave and courageous leader with a strong stand. He was in Kakamega during the Malala Super Cup, then fell ill with a severe case of the flu and asked for permission to take a break before resuming political activities. But you know the Ruto propaganda team will spread rumors that someone has decamped,” he said.

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Additional reporting by Winnie Atieno