As the political conclave enters the first quarter today, reports of discussions around the push for reconciliation with Mr Kenyatta have emerged, with claims that some of President William Ruto loyalists also want to join delegates at Mr Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County.
The former deputy president’s talks with grassroots leaders, clergy and 2027 aspirants in the last two weeks are also aimed at preparing Mt Kenya voters to possibly support a presidential candidate from outside the region.
While issuing his daily live updates on June 22, Mr Gachagua — who retreated to his Wamunyoro home on June 16 for dialogue with the Mt Kenya community until July 30 — announced that he was ready to forfeit his presidential ambitions and support any of the other principals in the opposition.
“I’m more than ready to forfeit my presidential bid if that is all it takes to have President Ruto out of power. I am here to get your thoughts on who is the favourite choice if I am not picked. I am also here to get your support so that you will influence the ground to bless me to campaign for that alternative candidate,” said the former DP.
He said that the alternative presidential candidates from the opposition camp are: Wiper Patriotic Front’s Kalonzo Musyoka , Jubilee Party’s Dr Fred Matiang’i, who is being fronted by Mr Kenyatta, People Liberation Party’s Martha Karua , Linda Mwananchi’s Edwin Sifuna, as well as DAP-K’s George Natembeya and Mr Eugene Wamalwa.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addresses journalists at a past event. He is hosting a retreat at his home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
For his part, Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago said the issue of Mr Kenyatta and Mr Gachagua speaking in one voice ahead of the polls is a key priority.
“As an elder, I can confirm to you that the two are now on talking terms, and I am happy that there is no indication that they will be reading from different scripts about 2027,” Mr Kiago said.
“The two have in the last few days convinced us that they are committed to the national political discourse about uniting our people and linking them up with other national formations for the upcoming ballot decision.”
Mr Kiago told Nation that the conclaves’ minutes are testimony of a community with committed leaders who have expressed a desire to even sacrifice their ambitions so as to partner with other Kenyans to give the country an alternative leadership.
Former provincial administrator Mr Joseph Kaguthi — who acts as the convener and arbiter between the elders, clergy and professionals — said Mr Gachagua has the community's blessings “to act as the general to take the community to the ballot”, with Mr Kenyatta as his adviser as well as other leaders from the community.
“I am happy that what is coming out of the conclave is not the cultivation of tribalism, but a true desire to enter into a binding agreement that we will approach 2027 as a united community that is readily available for national partnership in making our country great,” Mr Kaguthi said.
DCP’s Council of Eminent Persons chairperson and former MP Maina Kamanda said that the retreat has turned out to be a bonding session that is expected to come up with the foundation and structure of the community ahead of 2027.
“In a nutshell, Mr Gachagua has managed to set the agenda of what we seek to achieve by July 30 when the conclave ends. Our unity as a community, our security in one big political party, fairness of bagging tickets, compromises in friendly zones like Nairobi, Mombasa and in the Maa community, as well as on how we will approach the presidential ticket with broadness of mind, ready to let go of our claim and support another contender,” Mr Kamanda said.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) welcomes leaders at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on May 4, 2025.
Photo credit: Gitonga Marete | Nation Media Group
The discussions also aim at making DCP the dominant special-purpose vehicle for the Mt Kenya region, starting with ensuring a win in the July 16 Ol Kalou by-election. The party faces stiff competition from the ruling United Democratic Alliance party.
DCP’s interim Secretary-General and Nyandarua Senator John Methu said the issue of the by-election has become a central topic at the retreat. He said that elected leaders, aspirants and volunteers continue to flock the Wamunyoro Command Centre to support the DCP candidate for the by-election, Mr Sammy Ngotho. His main challenger is UDA’s Muchina Nyaga.
“I have been to the conclave three times now, and I can tell you that among the most passionate topics that featured there is the by-election. Mr Gachagua has been very supportive. He has participated in the ground mobilisation through phone calls as well as by giving the ground teams valuable advice.”
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu told the Nation that one of the most contentious issues is welcoming President Ruto loyalists into DCP.
“It is true that three Cabinet secretaries and four principal secretaries have made contact with Mr Gachagua. There are other leaders who want to jump ship and join DCP by August. While Mr Gachagua says the party should welcome all of them, but subject them to free and fair nominations in pursuit of the DCP ticket, some hardliners in the party do not welcome the idea,” he said.
Mr Nyutu said the hardliners are opposed to the move on grounds that the said Ruto loyalists made life difficult in the Mt Kenya region through impeaching Mr Gachagua in October 2024. They are accused of unleashing violence, goons and using the police against Gen Z, as well as supporting the government to persecute the community.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, alias Mejja Donk told the Nation that during the retreat Mr Gachagua was open to views from DCP candidates on how to manage the affairs of the party before the polls. He said that Mr Gachagua has assured members of free and fair party nominations.
Mr Gathiru said aspirants from Nairobi are planning to visit Wamunyoro any time this week. He said that more than 400 people have declared interest to run for MCA seats on a DCP ticket in Nairobi in the General Election.
