President William Ruto’s allies from the Mt Kenya region who are abandoning the ruling UDA party for DCP are beginning to feel the political heat, with Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe openly rejected during a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday.

Mr Kagombe, a vocal supporter of President Ruto until recently, made a U-turn and announced that he had left UDA for DCP.

But his attempt to secure a warm welcome into Mr Gachagua’s party appeared to fall flat when he pleaded with the former Deputy President to forgive him and accept him into the fold.

“I was Saul, but because I have seen light in Damascus, I am Paul. I am now in DCP. I am like a prodigal son who went back to his father to say sorry after being wrong. I have come to say sorry and I request forgiveness. Receive me because Ruto was misleading us to impeach you. Don’t fight me. Please receive me,” Mr Kagombe pleaded during a church service at PCEA Gatundu South.

Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe.

Photo credit: Pius Maundu | Nation Media Group

Mr Gachagua, however, left the final decision to the voters, effectively directing Mr Kagombe back to the same constituents who had booed and rejected him during the event.

“I have accepted you, but the people who will decide whether they want you or not are these people who are the voters,” Mr Gachagua said.

The exchange offered a glimpse into the difficult political terrain facing UDA defectors seeking refuge in DCP as the 2027 General Election approaches.

Mr Kagombe’s entry into DCP had already attracted suspicion from his political nemesis, former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who alleged that UDA was deliberately allowing some of its allies to defect to Mr Gachagua’s party.

“Today, August 12, 2026, marks a new phase in the 2027 politics. For the next 90 days, the government will release elected leaders in Mt Kenya region to ‘defect’ to DCP,” Mr Kuria claimed.

He further alleged that the politicians would leave UDA with substantial financial support to finance their nominations, suggesting that some were moving to DCP primarily to safeguard their political careers before returning to UDA after the 2027 elections.

Mr Kuria’s claims echo concerns repeatedly raised by Mr Gachagua, who has accused President Ruto’s camp of attempting to plant allies within DCP to weaken the party from within.

Road to 2027

The former Deputy President has been using DCP to rebuild his political base in Mt Kenya following his fallout with President Ruto and subsequent impeachment as Deputy President.

The party has since attracted a growing number of politicians and aspiring candidates seeking its ticket for next year’s elections.

In Kiambu, Mr Gachagua was accompanied by Senator Karungo Thang’wa and other DCP leaders, as well as hundreds of aspirants seeking to contest various seats on the party's ticket.

DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua — Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua makes his address during a media briefing at the parties offices on August 11, 2026.

Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation

The growing defections are likely to intensify the political battle in Mt Kenya, where parties are positioning themselves to control the region’s vote ahead of 2027.

Meanwhile, Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned the growing culture of political intolerance, violence and goonism, saying democracy can only thrive when citizens are free to express their views and participate in political activities without fear.

Speaking during a church service in Machakos County, the former Vice-President criticised President Ruto over what he described as continued incidents of political violence across the country, including Sunday’s violence in Homa Bay.

Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Mr Musyoka said those involved were no longer ordinary goons but organised militias operating with impunity.

He argued that ultimate responsibility for political violence rests with the President and warned that the sponsorship or protection of such groups poses a serious threat to constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

DP Party Leader Justin Muturi also condemned the use of goons to disrupt and attack the Linda Mwananchi campaign team in Homa Bay today.

Mr Muturi said every Kenyan has the right to move freely across the country, engage with fellow citizens and campaign peacefully, regardless of political affiliation. He warned that no part of Kenya should be turned into a no-go zone for any political group.

Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group

He also condemned the assault on journalists who had gone to cover the campaign, saying the brutal attacks were deeply disturbing and amounted to an attack on press freedom and the media’s constitutional role of informing the public.

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