Democracy for Citizens' Party (DCP) Nairobi patron Irungu Nyakera has defended party leader Rigathi Gachagua’s frequent political engagements in the Mount Kenya region as he gave an explanation on why the former DP mostly steered clear of other regions.
Nyakera spoke in an interview with Radio Citizen where he claimed the move was purely strategic since Gachagua was part of an opposition outfit comprising leaders from other regions in Kenya.
Nyakera explained that it was not unusual for political leaders to heavily focus on areas where they enjoy the most support in the build-up to an election.
"At the end of the day, everyone who is part of the opposition has their strongholds," Nyakera said. "For now, the focus is on those strongholds, but every section of this country will be part of the line-up in the government.”
Gachagua is one of the key figures in the opposition, alongside other leaders including Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, and Eugene Wamalwa.
Despite affiliations with leaders from different parts of the country, the former DP has often focused on Mount Kenya for his campaigns. According to Nyakera, this was a calculated move to drum up support from his base before finally engaging nationally.
Asked whether Gachagua was an eligible candidate to vie for presidency in 2027, Nyakera was adamant all key leaders in the opposition outfit were eligible, including the former DP, since his impeachment case was still in court.
He went on, "The impeachment is ineligible until court processes are exhausted. So until Gachagua is told he does not have any other option, everyone in coalition can vie for the presidency."
Nyakera was also challenged to address potential wrangles which may arise since a string of leaders determined to take down President William Ruto all wanted to contest the top job. He reiterated that despite all leaders' political ambitions, the main agenda remained the removal of the Kenya Kwanza government from office.
"The agenda is wantam. All these leaders live in Kenya, and they know that if there are any divisions, the Wantam agenda will not succeed. All the leaders can say they want to vie, but at the end of the day. The agenda remains Wantam".
Gachagua is currently out of the country, having embarked on a two-month tour of the United States.
Following two failed attempts, he is expected to officially launch his DCP party later in September, once he returns to the country.
