As Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua on Friday announced a 10-day extension to his initially declared 45-day conclave at his Wamunyoro village home, he also fired a warning shot to those who wished to defect that time was running out.

He explained that the extension is intended to cover the days he spent celebrating the July 16, 2026, Ol Kalou by-election victory, where DCP candidate, Kamau Ngotho, defeated UDA’s Muchina Nyagah.

He had also toured Embu, Meru and Tharaka-Nithi counties to counter a campaign to consolidate Mt Kenya East.

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Speaking during a live interview with political analyst Herman Manyora, the former Deputy President said the two most contentious issues in the conclave, so far, have been deciding which presidential aspirant to trust ahead of the 2027 polls and establishing bargaining chips should the region miss out on the top ticket.

Irungu Kang'ata and Rigathi Gachagua — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) welcomes Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata to the DCP party at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on July 24, 2026.

Photo credit: Courtesy

"As a region and as a people, we are experiencing a trust deficit. We are hard to please nowadays and do not trust easily. However, the people have told me they trust me to lead them, and they say I am their presidential candidate," he said.

Nevertheless, he noted that the Mt Kenya region cannot win the presidency alone and must therefore partner with other regions.

"I have made it clear that if I am convinced that removing President William Ruto from power through the ballot requires me to sacrifice my presidential ambition, I will happily do so," Mr Gachagua said.

The DCP leader, who was impeached as Deputy President in October 2024 after serving for two years, added that if he is absent from the ballot, the key question would be what Mt Kenya receives in exchange for its voting bloc.

"Of course, that question will arise: What is there for our votes? Our votes will not benefit anyone for a song. I am a very tough negotiator, and voter emancipation will be key," he said.

Mr Gachagua said that future negotiations would focus on economic issues rather than political rewards.

"It will be about taxation, the business operating environment, the security of enterprises, a Minimum Guaranteed Return for our cash crops, and affordable credit interest rates. Our key interest is to thrive in our livelihoods," he said.

'Unite against Ruto'

He maintained that Mt Kenya would only partner with leaders who understand that unseating President Ruto will require strong political mobilisation.

"The partners who want to win our trust must show they understand that removing Dr Ruto requires mobilising loyal and superior numbers. We will not gamble with our huge voting bloc, which is reputed to influence presidential outcomes," the former DP said.

His deadline for elected leaders intending to defect to DCP expired on Friday, but he extended it to mid-August.

“Some of them have called to book space in DCP. Others, including CSs and PSs, come to see me at night. But I have made it a condition that if you work for the Executive and want to join us, you must come before 5pm when the cameras are rolling so your boss can see you defect,” he said.

He said that he needed to finalise the list of aspirants to properly factor in the party's campaign war chest, which he estimates at Sh4 billion.

He vowed that anyone contesting outside the DCP ticket, as well as leaders aligned with President William Ruto, would lose.

“DCP will sweep all the seats in Mt Kenya. My target is to bag 20 governors, 20 senators, 140 Members of Parliament, 24 Woman Representatives and about 720 Members of County Assemblies,” Mr Gachagua declared.

The remarks prompted Mwea MP Mary Maingi to question his authority.

Mwea MP Mary Maingi at Rurii Secondary School during a bursary distribution event on March 6, 2023.

Photo credit: Kamau Maichuhie I Nation Media Group

"Are you God to declare who will be elected and who will not? This is a man who practises politics of intolerance; if you oppose him, you become an enemy. But we will live with him as he is, hoping that he will one day change his mindset," she said.

For his part, Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu expressed strong opposition to welcoming government loyalists into the party.

"There are those who have been notorious for persecuting Gachagua and his followers. Some have even used goons and rogue police officers to attack churches," Mr Nyutu said, adding that traitors would remain traitors.

Mr Gachagua’s aggressive stand is expected to widen differences between him and other party leaders operating in Mt Kenya region.

On Friday, while touring Murang’a County, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua rejected what she termed “misguided efforts to mobilise parts of the country to revert to a one-party state.”

mmuiruri@nationmedia.com