Elected leaders in Mt Kenya defecting from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are facing a potentially crippling trap in the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
After the July 16, 2026 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where the DCP, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, registered an emphatic win, some government-allied politicians have moved to the party while others are reportedly preparing to jump ship.
Most affected parties in the defection to DCP are UDA, Jubilee and The Service Party led by Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri.
According to DCP Secretary-General designate John Methu, the party has since issued guidelines on who qualifies to join Mr Gachagua ahead of 2027.
“If you know you campaigned for UDA in Ol Kalou and was physically present within the constituency’s boundaries during the voting day, please do not even attempt to approach DCP,” he said.
He added: “if you have been in meetings where demeaning banters and insults were hurled to the collective people of Mt Kenya and you never raised a finger or a word in protest, consider yourself unwanted in DCP”.
DCP's Sammy Ngotho, accompanied by Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, and other leaders, acknowledges supporters during the final campaign rally at Arboretum Grounds in Ol Kalou on July 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Mr Methu added that the count of impeaching Mr Gachagua remains forgiven and no one will be tasked to explain it.
“Mr Gachagua has told us not to take offense at any who voted to send him home. He has told us that he has since forgiven them. Mr Gachagua has told us that those we deem cleansable be made to know that they will not be given direct tickets and will have to face free and fair party primaries,” he said.
So far, the only big fish defector who DCP has fully received is Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, while his Murang’a counterpart, Dr Irungu Kang’ata is playing it safe by aligning with DCP, which has Mr Gachagua as the presidential hopeful, but saying he is affiliated to the Linda Mwananchi group led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has also announced his State House bid.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) welcomes Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata to the DCP party at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on July 24, 2026.
Photo credit: Courtesy
However, political pundits are warning that those running away from the UDA, in particular, might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire if they were to attempt to join DCP.
Political analyst Malila Munywoki advises the defectors that instead of joining DCP they should form their own parties or join “friendly” ones aligned with the opposition.
“In Kenya, political parties are owned and getting admitted into them is not a right but a privilege. The ideals that led to the formation of DCP are wrapped in resistance to President Ruto as a person and as a public servant. The emotions that drive DCP supporters are based on revenge against President Ruto and his government. Unless you are a fool, do not take yourself to the chopping board,” he said.
Murang’a Senator Mr Joe Nyutu told the Daily Nation that it is true that some Cabinet members drawn from Mt Kenya, Nairobi and Rift Valley have booked their membership in DCP.
“Let us wait for our party boss to announce the big names in his own time. I have personally booked two appointments for Cabinet members. These moves are not abnormal. It is only the timing of disclosure. I can confirm to you that the window that my Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata recently opened in declaring the supremacy of DCP and Mr Gachagua, especially in Mt Kenya region, has attracted huge interest,” he said.
But Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, who has also been linked to DCP manoeuvres as he seeks to contest the Laikipia gubernatorial seat in 2027, told Nation that Mr Gachagua is a known accomplished propagandist who will say anything to flavour his politics.
“President Ruto is a consumer of raw intelligence from all over the country. He has a presence inside Wamunyoro (Mr Gachagua’s home). A cabinet Secretary or Principal Secretary politically dining and wining with an opponent scheming the downfall of the government would be risking. We are very near this government and I would personally have picked those vibes. I think Mr Gachagua is lying like he always does, but should he be telling the truth for once, this is a small world, it shall be revealed,” he said.
Leaders who have ditched the ruling UDA from left: Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Lamu Woman Rep Muthoni Marube, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha.
Photo credit: Nation
Mr Gachagua said efforts to unite Mt Kenya against President Ruto ahead of 2027 were going according to plan, adding that some senior officials were just marking time in government before jumping ship.
“We have agreed that they remain in the government for the sake of earning a livelihood. But they will keep on helping us harness our 2027 agenda. It is after this Mt Kenya unity that we will sit with our political partners and discuss the formula of picking one presidential candidate to face off with President Ruto. We are progressing well,” he said.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
So far, Ms Martha Karua’s Peoples Liberation Party (PLP) and former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party have expressed willingness to receive all those in search of political refuge in the spirit of gather all, scatter none.
According to Mr Gachagua, the DCP’s DNA is restoring the political identity and dignity of the Mt Kenya region people and punishing betrayal.
Speaking in Kiambaa constituency last weekend, he said: “the Mt Kenya region must prove to the world that betrayal is an unforgivable political sin and all those to be elected on a DCP ticket must be of proven loyalty and patriotism first to the region interests and the nation”.
As he called upon the voters to reject all those he termed as “traitors” to the cause of Mt Kenya, he said he desires to see winners in the 2027 General Election being those who cannot partner with oppressors for their own selfish gains and then, when their political bush catches fire, they run back to the community for refuge.
Mr Gachagua said he cannot dictate to the voters who to elect, but said he wanted a pool of leaders loyal and patriotic to the Mt Kenya region.
According to Senator Nyutu, admitting some UDA elected leaders will be a hard sell to the loyal members who have gone through Mr Gachagua’s October 2024 impeachment, forming DCP, and resistance against State-backed goons and rogue police officers.
As alignments rage in Mt Kenya, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has since declared no interest in joining DCP, saying he was ready to shoulder the consequences of not doing so. Murang’a Woman Representative Ms Betty Maina has also declared that she is ready to lose 2027 Elections outside DCP and become a full-time farmer.
Ol Kalou MP Kamau Ngotho said the two are among about 30 UDA leaders who cannot be admitted into DCP.
