UDA to infiltrate Gachagua's DCP ahead 2027 elections in Mt Kenya, claims Cherargei

Speaking to the media at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Tuesday, the outspoken ally of President William Ruto alleged that UDA was determined to maintain political influence in Mt Kenya despite growing support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his newly formed DCP outfit.

“As a government, Mt Kenya is a stronghold of UDA. We will not allow anybody or some individuals to masquerade. We are going to have our candidates in UDA and also in DCP, but they sing UDA at night,” Cherargei said.

The senator suggested that the strategy would particularly target key races such as the Kirinyaga gubernatorial contest, where succession politics have intensified ahead of the 2027 polls following Governor Anne Waiguru nearing the end of her constitutionally mandated two terms.

Cherargei said UDA was keen on ensuring leaders aligned to the Kenya Kwanza administration emerge victorious in the region.

“I was in Murang’a and here in Kirinyaga. We have some women leaders there and we must ensure we win. We must have people who are friendly and after the election they will come home,” he stated.

The Nandi senator also launched a scathing attack on Gachagua, accusing the former deputy president of turning DCP into what he described as a “highest auction house” where party tickets allegedly go to the highest bidder.

“I want to warn all aspirants under DCP that it is the highest auction in the house. Some of us have intelligence that those who are funded will be given party tickets,” Cherargei claimed.

He further alleged that Gachagua’s recent tour of the United Kingdom, where the former deputy president had reportedly hoped to raise billions for political mobilisation, ended unsuccessfully.

“He told us he was going to raise Ksh2 billion in London, but I am told he raised only Ksh2 million because Kenyans both locally and abroad know he is a political conman,” Cherargei alleged.

However, Gachagua’s allies have defended the former deputy president’s UK trip, insisting it was cut short because of pressing political engagements back home, including preparations for the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election and efforts to strengthen DCP structures across the country.

The remarks come amid rising political realignments in the Mt Kenya region, where several leaders elected on UDA tickets have recently distanced themselves from the ruling party and gravitated towards Gachagua’s camp.

Among those linked to the opposition wave is former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Purity Wangui Ngirici, who has publicly declared that she will contest the Kirinyaga governor seat in 2027 using an opposition-backed ticket.

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina, who was elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, has also emerged as one of DCP’s vocal supporters in the region.

Despite the growing opposition activity, Cherargei maintained that Mt Kenya remains firmly under UDA influence and dismissed rival political formations as “noise makers.”

“I want to confirm to the nation that the people there will stand with the government of the day and will stand with UDA. All these others are noise makers,” he said.