Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has widened his political push in Nairobi, using a gathering of newly elected ward leaders to send a message to ODM’s Edwin Sifuna and Babu Owino that they have a place in DCP if they ever feel pushed out of their current party.
Gachagua, who met two newly elected DCP MCAs in Nairobi on Wednesday, said promoting his party was part of his political work and should not be viewed as wrong or out of place.
“Let nobody make me feel like I am committing any political crime by marketing my party. That is my job,” he said.
He told Sifuna and Babu that they would be accepted in DCP or any other outfit within the United Opposition should they become uncomfortable in ODM.
“Edwin Sifuna, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP. Sifuna is a great senator in Nairobi, and I have no problem with DCP supporting him to be senator of Nairobi in 2027,” he said.
He added a similar offer to Babu, saying, “Babu Owino, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP.”
Gachagua described DCP as “the party of Kenyan patriots,” but noted that the two lawmakers could still choose Wiper if they preferred. He said the united opposition was still working together and that parties within it knew where each had an advantage.
“Where Wiper is strong, we support; where DCP is strong, we support,” he said, expressing confidence that the team was already eyeing the Lang’ata seat in 2027.
He insisted his push to grow DCP did not conflict with the broader shared agenda inside the United Opposition.
“You build your party, come and compete. I don’t hold any brief for any party, even if it is in the united opposition,” he said.
“I sell my party, and then I work with parties within the united opposition,” he added.
Gachagua also faulted ODM’s direction, saying he felt the party was weakening because of its closeness to the government. He said the country needed strong political parties to safeguard democracy.
“I am saddened that ODM is being weakened,” he said, adding that vibrant competition could only come from solid parties.
He pointed to recent by-election results — the Narok Town MCA seat won by DCP, the Kisa East ward win in Western Kenya, and the Purko Ward seat taken by UDA — as signs that political patterns were shifting.
“If you allow the party to be sold, you will become a minority party. You will only get a few seats in Luo Nyanza,” he said.
