Gachagua vows to expose 'secret gov't deals' by Ruto, rallies Mt Kenya behind DCP

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to continue exposing what he describes as secret government dealings that threaten Kenyans' livelihoods, claiming his intervention prevented the relocation of British Army training operations from Kenya.

Speaking during a political tour of Laikipia County on Saturday, Gachagua maintained that corruption was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the renewal of the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) agreement and urged Kenyans to support his bid for a new administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Addressing supporters in Nanyuki, the former Deputy President claimed his intervention helped avert the departure of British soldiers, which he said would have negatively affected the local economy.

"Huyu Kasongo alikuwa ameitisha hongo kwa hao askari ya Uingereza ya Johnie ati ndio waendelee kukaa hapa. Wazungu wakakataa. Walitaka kuenda Tanzania. Nikajua hio wazungu wakienda, town yetu ya Nanyuki itakufa kibiashara. Nikaingilia hio maneno, sasa wazungu wameambiwa wakae, ndio biashara yetu iendelee," he said.

Gachagua argued that the agreement allowing British troops to continue training in Kenya would not have been secured had he not spoken out, blaming what he termed complicit leaders for enabling such dealings.

He urged Laikipia residents to reject leaders allied to President William Ruto during the next General Election.

"Jamii yetu inaomba watu ya Laikipia msiwaichagua Mwangi Kiunjuri kwa kiti yoyote miaka yote. Kiunjuri aende asiende? Ni msaliti si msaliti. Number 2 mama anaitwa Jane Kagiri ni msaliti ya jamii yetu, anakaanga na Kasongo ni rafiki ya Kasongo. Huyu Jane Kagiri aende nyumbani," he added.

The DCP leader also called on voters to elect leaders on the party's ticket in future elections.

"Hapa Laikipia East tunataka mtuchagulie mbunge mpya na tikiti ya DCP. Mtafanya hivyo? Mtafanya hivyo? Gavana wa Laikipia, ule ambaye tutachagua atachaguliwa na chama gani? Crowd: DCP. Seneta wa Laikipia na chama gani? Crowd: DCP. Women Rep na chama gani? Crowd: DCP," Gachagua noted.

Earlier, while meeting DCP aspirants from Murang'a County, Gachagua cautioned leaders from outside the Mt Kenya region against commenting on the region's political affairs.

The remarks appeared to be directed at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who on Friday said the Mt Kenya region remained firmly in government under Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

"Don't come here purporting to advise the people of the mountain on what to do or how to conduct their issues and which leaders to support and which ones not to. You have no capacity," said Gachagua.