Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been dealt a serious political setback after three aspirants abandoned his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in the run-up to key by-elections, exposing internal cracks in the outfit he has been counting on to build his influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The departures have raised concerns within Gachagua’s camp, coming just weeks after he returned from the United States to personally steer the party’s strategy for the mini-polls.
Political observers say the wave of defections undermines his bid to cement himself as the dominant figure in Mt Kenya politics and a strong challenger to President William Ruto in the next General Election.
In the past month, DCP has lost candidates in Banissa, Mbeere North and Magarini constituencies , all of whom were initially viewed as central to Gachagua’s plan to use the by-elections to showcase the party’s strength.
The three have since crossed over to rival formations, leaving his party weakened and struggling to project unity.
The latest to exit is Magarini aspirant Furaha Ngumbao, a member of the party’s National Executive Committee, who on Monday tendered his resignation, citing frustrations and poor coordination within the party’s structures.
In his letter, Ngumbao said he had faced difficulties dealing with the party’s National Elections Board and Secretary General Hezron Obanga.
“The persistent lack of communication, disregard for grassroots concerns and failure to provide clear directives have created an environment where aspirants like myself are left to navigate,” he said. “It is in this realisation that I, Furaha Ngumbao, a patriotic Kenyan tender my resignation as a member of the Democracy for Citizens Party with immediate effect.”
The letter, dated September 29, was also copied to the Registrar of Political Parties.
Ngumbao’s decision follows the earlier exit of Duncan Mbui, who was to fly the party’s flag in Mbeere North but walked out abruptly after the party resolved to support the Democratic Party (DP) candidate.
A similar scenario played out in Banissa constituency, where the party’s candidate Adan Mohamed, also known as Kiongozi, pulled out of the race, further denting Gachagua’s efforts to use the mini-polls as a show of strength.
The string of defections has left DCP battling perceptions of disorganisation and internal discord.