DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua addressing residents of Kisa East in Kakamega county on June 12, 2026. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA/XDemocracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to mobilise support across the country, particularly in areas perceived to be strongholds of the united opposition, to ensure President William Ruto is defeated in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Friday in Kisa East, Kakamega County, at the start of his three-day tour of Western Kenya, the former Deputy President said he was confident of delivering seven million votes from the Mt Kenya region, while other opposition strongholds would collectively contribute at least 13 million votes.
"Back home, I have consolidated seven million votes. In Nairobi, we have consolidated three million votes. We want the Mulembe nation to consolidate five million votes, and then join them with Kalonzo's three and a half million votes," Gachagua said.
Gachagua was accompanied by a section of opposition leaders on the tour, which has been branded the United Alternative Government Western Kenya tour.
The coalition brings together Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.
The team has pledged to rally behind a common agenda aimed at unseating President William Ruto in the next election.
Addressing residents during the tour, Wamalwa said the countdown to the next polls had effectively begun.
"August 10 will be exactly one year to the elections...," he said.
Speaking later in Khayega, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala warned that the opposition would stage demonstrations on June 25 if families of young people who died during the 2024 anti-government protests had not been compensated.
Malala, who previously served as secretary general of the ruling UDA party, said the opposition was determined to send Ruto and his allies home in 2027.
The former Kakamega Senator also announced that he would once again contest the Kakamega governor's seat in a bid to unseat incumbent Governor Ferdinand Barasa.
"In 2022, you gave me a lot of votes. I will vie again for the Kakamega governor seat. Give me your support," he said.
Malala argued that the long-sought unity of the Luhya community had remained elusive, denying the Western region greater influence in national politics.
He said he would work alongside Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Wamalwa and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to rally the region behind a common political agenda.
According to Malala, the political influence built by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in the region would not withstand a united political movement in Western Kenya.
