Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the delay in launching his new political party was intentional, aimed at allowing the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking during a televised interview on Monday night, Gachagua stated that consultations for the party’s formation had been completed by February. However, he and other stakeholders decided to push the unveiling to May for strategic reasons.
“Our new political party is ready. For strategic reasons, I did not want to unveil it before May,” he said.
He claimed that many Members of Parliament and Senators from the Mount Kenya region are prepared to resign from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and seek re-election under the new party.
“The whole mountain has moved from UDA. UDA was Riggy G at the mountain; without Riggy G, there is no party there,” he declared confidently.
Gachagua assured those willing to defect that they would easily win back their seats, saying that such a move would earn them political goodwill among the electorate.
“Any leader who makes that brave decision, because that is being courageous, will be re-elected without a doubt, with a serious majority. They will be heroes of our people, and their politics will be rosy for decades to come,” he stated.
He also disclosed that the new party has already structured its leadership, naming interim officials drawn from different regions of the country. While he did not reveal specific names, he mentioned that the interim national chairman is from Kajiado, the national organizing secretary from Machakos, the deputy party leader from Kakamega, and the assistant national treasurer from Migori.
“Ours is a serious national party, but it is the home of the mountain, and that brings in serious numbers, which is good for the party,” he said.
Gachagua further claimed that beyond the Mount Kenya region, his party enjoys support in Kajiado, Narok, Samburu, Kisii, and parts of the Western region.
He also criticized recent leadership changes in Parliament that saw several Mount Kenya leaders replaced, describing it as an attempt to weaken the region’s political influence.
Several leaders have already aligned themselves with Gachagua’s camp, including Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), and Lenku Seki (Kajiado).
MPs who have reportedly shifted allegiance from President William Ruto to Gachagua include John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, among others.
