Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has received 10 political leaders from Kajiado County into his Democracy for Citizens Party, giving his 2027 campaign another boost outside his traditional political base.
The group includes elected Members of the County Assembly from different parties, as well as a ward representative aspirant. Their move comes as Gachagua steps up efforts to build the DCP’s presence across the country ahead of next year’s General Election.
Gachagua announced the defections today Monday, saying the leaders had consulted their supporters before deciding to join the party.
“The journey to 100 per cent DCP in Kajiado is almost complete,” he said.
He portrayed the move as evidence that the party was gaining support at the grassroots. He also suggested that the elected leaders were themselves a reflection of that local sentiment.
“I never asked the MCAs to listen to the ground; they are the ground themselves,” Gachagua said.
Among those joining the DCP are Isaac Kiresian, the Kajiado County Assembly Minority Leader and MCA for Magadi Ward; Joseph Torris of Ewuaso Oonkidongi; Edward Lemomo of Kuku; Caroline Ndeti, a nominated MCA; Titus Matheka of Ongata Rongai; John Maina Mutiga of Nkaimurunya; Nais Naisiae Karia, a nominated MCA; Marush Kisemei of Oloosirkon Sholinko; and Mbiriri Mwaura of Ngong.
Peter Tirishe, an aspirant for Mosiro Ward, also joined the party.
Gachagua said the new members had told him their supporters wanted a political party that would listen to their concerns.
“They have told me that the ground is green,” he said, describing the decision as a response to what he called clear instructions from their supporters.
The latest defections follow a series of similar moves involving local leaders as Gachagua works to widen the DCP’s reach ahead of the August 10, 2027 election. The former deputy president has increasingly taken his party’s mobilisation campaign beyond its stronger political base in Central Kenya.
The Kajiado leaders were accompanied by DCP Narok Township MCA Douglas Masikonde, Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo and Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki.
Gachagua said the party’s expansion was continuing with a year left before the election.
“Our party continues to grow and expand significantly, with just one year to go before 10th August 2027,” he said.
The defections are likely to add to the political competition in Kajiado, where national parties and emerging political formations are seeking to strengthen their local networks ahead of the 2027 contest.
For Gachagua, the challenge now is to turn the new alliances into sustained grassroots support. The arrival of elected leaders may give the DCP a stronger presence in the county, but the real test will come at the ballot box next year.
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