Defections rock Gachagua’s party ahead of by-elections
The back-to-back resignations have sparked concern within Gachagua’s inner circle about the party’s preparedness and ability to run credible campaigns.
Rigathi Gachagua’s plans to use the upcoming by-elections to showcase his growing political strength have been thrown into disarray after three key aspirants abandoned his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), exposing deep divisions and poor coordination within the political outfit.
The former deputy president had returned from the United States last month to personally lead the party’s campaign strategy, hoping the mini-polls would help solidify his influence in Mt Kenya and signal his intention to mount a serious challenge to President William Ruto in 2027.
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But a string of defections in Magarini, Banissa and Mbeere North constituencies has dealt him a heavy blow, leaving his camp unsettled.
The latest defection came on Monday from Magarini aspirant Furaha Ngumbao, who also served in DCP’s National Executive Committee.
In a letter addressed to party officials and copied to the Registrar of Political Parties, Ngumbao cited frustrations in dealing with the party’s leadership, particularly the National Elections Board and Secretary General Hezron Obanga.
“The persistent lack of communication, disregard for grassroots concerns and failure to provide clear directives have created an environment where aspirants like myself are left to navigate,” he said.
“It is in this realisation that I, Furaha Ngumbao, a patriotic Kenyan, tender my resignation as a member of the Democracy for Citizens Party with immediate effect.”
His resignation followed that of Duncan Mbui, who was to represent the party in Mbeere North but quit abruptly after the leadership resolved to back a Democratic Party (DP) candidate instead.
Earlier, DCP had also suffered a setback in Banissa constituency when its candidate Adan Mohamed, popularly known as Kiongozi, withdrew from the race.
The back-to-back resignations have sparked concern within Gachagua’s inner circle about the party’s preparedness and ability to run credible campaigns.
The exits have not only deprived DCP of crucial candidates in strategic regions but also cast doubt on Gachagua’s capacity to hold his team together as he positions himself for a comeback in the 2027 General Election.
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