Gachagua Selects New Party for 2027 After UDA Exit

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has formally picked the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as his new political party, effectively cutting ties with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Reports indicate that Gachagua, who resigned from UDA on May 12, 2025, is set to reveal DCP on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Nairobi. 

Although details about the new party had been kept under wraps, sources have confirmed that DCP was officially registered on February 3, this year. 

The party’s colours are green, brown, and black, and its logo features a hand touching an ear, symbolising the party’s focus on "listening to the people." Its slogan is "Kazi na Haki" (Work and Justice).

Ahead of the official unveiling, Gachagua and his allies held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday to finalise the party’s leadership structure. 

Among the names mentioned for positions within DCP’s governing body are Thomas Ratemo, Ado Yiembo, Mably Owino, Hussein Athman, Laura Njeri, Abdifatah Abdullahi, Joy Gatugi, Jeremiah Mong’eri, Joel Sang, John Maranga, Miriam Fredina Mariki, and Brenda Banjira Omusinda.

The venue for the launch remains undisclosed, but there are plans to hold a large-scale public event later this month to officially introduce the party to Kenyans.

Rigathi Gachagua

Gachagua’s resignation from UDA follows his growing discontent with the party’s direction. 

In his resignation letter, he described the party’s leadership as having strayed from its original values, accusing them of driving the country toward economic and constitutional crises.

“I have officially resigned from the UDA Party with immediate effect,” Gachagua said in a statement posted on social media. “The party has exhausted and wasted a Kenyan moment to take off economically, socially and politically.”

In a radio interview with Egesa FM on May 12, 2025, Gachagua stated that DCP would be a national party with roots in Mount Kenya, aimed at bringing together leaders from different regions across the country.

Senator Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, a close ally of Gachagua from Kajiado County, confirmed he would run for governor under DCP, adding that the party’s chairperson would be selected from the region.

Gachagua’s decision to create a new party is seen as a strategic move ahead of the 2027 elections, with sources revealing that he is in discussions with prominent opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya), and Fred Matiang’i.