When Rigathi Gachagua, former Deputy President of Kenya, walked onto the KTN set on October 5, 2025, he didn’t mince words: the rumor that he was secretly bargaining with President William Ruto was "nothing but a fabrication" and their relationship was "irreparably broken." The denial came a day after Gachagua’s newly minted Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) was announced, a move that could reshape the country’s political map ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Background: Ruto‑Odinga Power‑Sharing and Gachagua’s Exit
The political turbulence traces back to March 7, 2025, when President Ruto signed a power‑sharing agreementNairobi with opposition leader Raila Odinga. The deal, brokered after deadly anti‑government protests over the 2024 Finance Bill, was meant to calm the streets but instead splintered the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Gachagua, who was impeached and removed from office in 2024, fell out with Ruto over the pact. He accused the President of sidelining the youth and betraying the promises of the 2022 electoral coalition. "I chose the road that keeps my conscience clear," Gachagua told KTN, hinting that his next step would be to build a new political home.
Gachagua’s New Party and the DCP Strategy
On October 4, 2025, the DCP was officially registered in Nairobi. Its manifesto reads like a checklist for power: "Forming government or getting into government," Gachagua explained, adding that the party would draw its strength from the Mt. Kenya corridor, where his supporters still rally.
"From what the people of Mt. Kenya have told me, William Ruto is not part of that equation," he said, making it clear that any collaboration with the President was off the table.
Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, another key figure, dismissed accusations that DCP was a Ruto front, calling the claims a "government‑sponsored mole" tactic designed to fracture the United Opposition.
Allegations of a Secret Deal and the Narok Meeting
The spark for the controversy was a statement by Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni. He alleged that Gachagua met privately in Narok County with 15 local leaders, including clergy, to block a DCP ticket for aspiring ward councillor Joshua Ole Kaputa. Kioni claimed the closed‑door session was a quid‑pro quo with Ruto, promising Kaputa a future nomination.
Malala shot back, branding Kioni “a mole” and urging the opposition to ignore the "wantam" slogan—a local phrase for political intrigue. "If you’re in the opposition and can’t say the wantam slogan, then you’re a mole," Malala warned.
Mohammed Ali’s Possible Defection and the Mt. Kenya Battle
Meanwhile, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali posted a cryptic photo on social media on October 5, 2025, showing himself sharing tea with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Gachagua. "Some things are better left unannounced because they are meant to be discovered," he wrote, fueling speculation that the MP might abandon the UDA and join the opposition bloc.
Ali, who elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, has been a vocal critic of the President’s handling of the Generation Z protests sparked by high taxes in the 2024 Finance Bill. He has also hinted at a run for the Mombasa governorship in 2027, a race that already pits him against UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar.
Heated words followed from Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, who warned that Ali’s flirtation with Gachagua could end his political career. "He’s an opportunist," Sudi said, questioning whether Gachagua can actually mentor anyone after his own impeachment.
Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
Ruto’s camp tried to downplay the drama, emphasizing the continuity of the March 2025 power‑sharing agreement. Yet, the Raila Odinga Secretariat rebuffed rumors that the ODM leader was ill, accusing a "coordinated smear campaign" led by Gachagua, Musyoka, and DAP’s Eugene Wamalwa.
Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) issued a statement denying any involvement in health misinformation. "These are desperate attempts to drag Raila Odinga into a political fight he has no part in," the press release read.
The Wiper Party, led by Musyoka, also rejected ODM’s claims, calling them "baseless" and insisting that any discussions about Odinga’s health were purely speculative.
Implications for the 2027 General Election
All signs point to a high‑stakes showdown for Mt. Kenya’s loyalty. If Gachagua’s DCP can seal an alliance with Musyoka’s Wiper Party and perhaps pull in other regional leaders, the youth‑driven protest movement that rocked Nairobi in 2024 could become a decisive voting bloc.
On the other side, Ruto’s new deputy — Kithure Kindiki — is expected to shore up the President’s base in the Rift Valley, while Odinga aims to retain his ODM strongholds in the western region.
- October 5, 2025: Gachagua publicly denies secret talks with Ruto.
- March 7, 2025: Ruto‑Odinga power‑sharing pact signed.
- October 4, 2025: DCP officially registered.
- October 6, 2025: Jeremiah Kioni alleges Narok meeting.
- 2027: General Election looming, with contested governorships in Mombasa and Kisumu.
Analysts say the battle for the youth vote will be the decisive factor. "If the opposition can present a unified front that speaks to the frustrations of Generation Z, Ruto’s coalition could be in trouble," noted political scientist Dr. Achieng Otieno of the University of Nairobi.
For now, Kenya watches a political chessboard where former allies become rivals, and new parties sprout like shoots after a rainstorm. The next few months will likely see more defections, secret meetings, and public spats as each side tries to lock in the crucial Mt. Kenya electorate before the 2027 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gachagua’s new party affect the upcoming 2027 election?
The Democracy for Citizens Party aims to capture the Mt. Kenya vote, historically a swing region. By aligning with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party, Gachagua could consolidate the youth‑led protest vote, potentially eroding the United Democratic Alliance’s support base and making the 2027 race far more competitive.
What evidence supports the claim of a secret Narok meeting?
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni said he saw Gachagua meeting with fifteen local leaders in Narok County, but no official minutes or recordings have been released. Both Gachagua’s deputy, Cleophas Malala, and the DCP deny the meeting was linked to any arrangement with President Ruto.
Could Mohammed Ali’s potential defection shift the balance of power?
Ali represents a coastal constituency that has traditionally leaned UDA. His possible move to the opposition could give the anti‑Ruto bloc a foothold in the coastal region, broadening its geographic reach and attracting more undecided voters for the 2027 elections.
What role does the Ruto‑Odinga power‑sharing agreement play now?
Signed in March 2025, the pact still governs the executive coalition, but growing fractures—especially Gachagua’s outspoken opposition—are testing its durability. The agreement’s survival may hinge on whether Ruto can keep his allies loyal while managing dissent from former deputies.
How are Generation Z protests influencing political narratives?
The 2024 protests over the Finance Bill’s high taxes galvanized young voters, who now demand accountability and economic relief. Parties that address these concerns—through tax reforms or youth employment promises—are gaining traction, making the protests a pivotal issue in the run‑up to 2027.
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jyoti igobymyfirstname
October 7, 2025 AT 03:53Gachagua’s denial is just another dramaaa in Kenya’s endless political circus!
AMRESH KUMAR
October 11, 2025 AT 03:53He’s pulling a classic move to keep his own tribe safe while the rest of us get the short end of the stick 😡.
ritesh kumar
October 15, 2025 AT 03:53The Narok whisper network is a front for deep‑state manipulation; it’s not about local leaders but about a covert alliance engineered by shadow operatives to tilt the upcoming 2027 vote in favor of the entrenched elite.
Raja Rajan
October 19, 2025 AT 03:53Gachagua’s new party will only split the opposition vote, giving Ruto a clearer path to retain power.
Atish Gupta
October 23, 2025 AT 03:53While you point out the vote‑splitting risk, remember that the youth protests of 2024 have created a demand for fresh voices; DCP could harness that energy if it aligns with Wiper and other regional blocs.
In other words, a united front might actually neutralize the split you fear.
Aanchal Talwar
October 27, 2025 AT 03:53Its good to see new parties emerging, hope they bring real change for the people.