DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua is set to embark on an early ‘housekeeping’ mission in his Nyeri backyard to contain emerging factional battles in his party.
Starting next
month, the former Deputy President is expected to camp in Nyeri to manage the
local politics and the escalating political tensions among aspirants.
The tensions
come at a time when Gachagua is moving to transform an emotionally charged
anti-government movement into a loyal political base.
In this
regard, he is working on a down-up political strategy, or building his movement
from the grassroots.
Sources from
DCP headquarters inform that as part of his housekeeping, key changes will be
effected, targeting the youth and women leagues, as well as the county party
coordination.
Gachagua has
already effected some changes at the top level of the party, elevating his
close ally Nyandarua Senator John Methu to the influential position of
secretary general-designate, replacing founding SG Hezron Obaga.
In the
surprise restructuring on Tuesday,
the move was seen as part of broader efforts to tighten control of the party’s
internal operations.
Announcing the
changes in Nairobi, Gachagua said Methu would immediately begin serving as the
party spokesperson and acting secretary general, pending formal approval by the
Registrar of Political Parties.
“Senator John
Methu, for all practical purposes, is a member of DCP, and he will start acting
from today as
the secretary general-designate and be the spokesman of the DCP party on all
matters starting today,”
he said.
Methu has
emerged as one of Gachagua’s fiercest political allies and defenders in
Parliament, with his elevation widely interpreted as an attempt to consolidate
a trusted inner circle ahead of an expected bruising political battle with
Kenya Kwanza.
At the same
time, however, growing speculation around impending restructuring in Nyeri
county has exposed signs of unease in DCP’s grassroots structures.
The source
informed that sweeping changes were imminent in Nyeri, including replacement of
county coordinator, restructuring of youth league leadership and the
reorganisation of party offices.
While the Star
could not independently verify the said changes, they have intensified
political chatter in Mt Kenya over loyalty struggles, internal competition and
succession battles emerging in the fast-growing outfit.
Gachagua is
also expected to lead political negotiations to settle on 2027 candidates in
the county, particularly the governor’s seat.
With incumbent
Mutahi Kahiga serving his last term, the seat has attracted a number of
aspirants both from DCP and UDA.
These include
former Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi, Deputy Governor David Kinaniri, Eng Wangai
Ndirangu, Amb Peter Muniri and Senator Wahome Wamatinga.
Gachagua has
previously declared he will personally be involved in determining the next
governor.
”We have a
problem in Nyeri. This devolution thing is yet to be executed properly. We have
to sit down and discuss about the governor seat,” he said during the burial of
the mother of Eala MP Kanini Kega.
“We must get a
worker, someone who will work for the people of Nyeri. We must get good leaders
this time round.”
He added that
although the county has produced great leaders since Independence, it has
equally had a share of traitors who must be dealt with.
“All those
walking with him and cheering him on and praising him must go home with him,”
he said.
Among those he
is de-campaigning are Senator Wamatangi, Woman Representative Rahab Mukami and
area MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Wambugu Wainaina
(Othaya) and Nyeri Town’s Dunn Maina.
Political
observers say the move is an attempt by Gachagua to personally stabilise and
consolidate his political backyard amid growing pressure from competing local
interests.
“Whenever a
political movement grows rapidly, especially around one dominant figure, the
next phase is usually battles over access, positions, nominations and
influence,” political analyst Dennis Mwangi, who hails from the county, told
the Star.
“The challenge
becomes managing ambition before it becomes rebellion.”
In
consolidating the region, Gachagua has also indicated a preference of working
with incumbent MCAs, urging residents not to be harsh on them over failures of
the governor.
Gachagua met
the MCAs on May 12, when
they briefed him on “the state of the county and what the ground is saying”.
The Nyeri
dynamics are particularly sensitive because the county is considered central to
Gachagua’s political legitimacy in Mt Kenya.
Any visible
instability in the region risks weakening his image as the undisputed political
mobiliser of the mountain and could embolden rivals seeking influence in the
anti-Ruto movement.
Claims of
sabotage, disloyalty and parallel political operations by some grassroots
figures, suggesting growing mistrust in sections of the party, have made
Gachagua to quickly attend to the concerns, the DCP source said.
Youth politics
is emerging as another potentially sensitive fault line. There is chatter over
‘imposed’ youth officials and demands for elections in the party’s youth league
structures.
That could
become politically significant at a time when Gen Z-driven activism continues
reshaping the political landscape and placing pressure on political parties to
open up space for younger voices.
