In a bold and risky political move, several allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are set to resign from their elective positions in a bid to force by-elections in parts of the Mt Kenya region — a strategic attempt to test the strength and influence of his new party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
At least four MPs and multiple Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kiambu, and Kirinyaga counties have committed to stepping down from their seats immediately after the DCP’s unveiling in Nairobi tomorrow.
The resignations, sources say, are a calculated effort to stamp Gachagua’s authority and affirm the grassroots popularity of the new political formation.
“This is not just about by-elections. It’s a referendum on Gachagua’s influence in the mountain,” said a senior official within the DCP secretariat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.“If these leaders are re-elected on DCP tickets, it will silence the doubters and cement Gachagua as the undisputed political leader of the region.”
The secrecy of those who will resign appears to be a deliberate strategy by Gachagua’s camp to manage potential internal dissent and avoid premature political sabotage. What is certain, though, is that the move is already sending ripples across the Mt Kenya region and beyond.
The plan comes amid heightened political competition in Mt Kenya, with the revival efforts of the Jubilee Party under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, and rising concerns within Gachagua’s camp about the growing presence of what they allege are “State-funded satellite parties” aimed at diluting his base.
“There is a well-coordinated campaign to sponsor splinter parties and divide the mountain,” a Nyeri-based MP allied to Gachagua said.
“But we are ready. These by-elections will give the people a voice — a chance to choose who truly represents their interests.”While the exact identities remain undisclosed, insiders confirmed that several key constituencies will be affected.
Former Gachagua loyalists — including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua — have declined to participate in the by-election plan.
According to sources, they were approached by Gachagua’s team and prevailed upon to resign but refused, citing political risks and a lack of certainty in the ground support.
“They’re playing safe,” the DCP official said. “But leadership is about bold decisions. We respect their choice, but they won’t be part of this new chapter.”Speaking in Kikuyu, he said his loyalists would be “ready to go back to the people” once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is reconstituted.
“We will not fear. If you believe the people are with you, go and ask them again,” Gachagua said during the broadcast.Political analysts believe the by-elections, if held, could either catapult Gachagua’s DCP into national relevance or mark a major political miscalculation. Elias Muriithi, a political science lecturer at the University of Nairobi, described the move as “high-stakes and unprecedented.”
“This is a high-risk political gamble. Resignations could backfire if the public perceives them as wasteful or unnecessary. But if his allies win, it will significantly raise the profile of the DCP,” Muriithi noted.
