A tribal tornado or tactical triumph? Gachagua 2027 factor taking shape

In the ever-bustling corridors of Kenyan politics, the latest verbal sparring over former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s newly launched “Democratic Congress Party”has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
The announcement of Gachagua’s move to establish a political party under his leadership has been met with fierce opposition from the staunch allies of President William Ruto, who are raising eyebrows and rhetorical questions about the very essence of the party’s vision.
The National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichun’gwah along with other figures in the Kenya Kwanza alliance, have wasted no time in publicly lambasting the move, dismissing it as a tribal outfit that cannot possibly represent the national image of unity, a vision Kenya Kwanza has ardently championed since its inception.
Gachagua, who once stood shoulder to shoulder with President Ruto as a prominent figure in the ruling coalition, has now sparked a political firestorm with his decision to venture out on his own.
Many thought his influence would diminish after his ousting from the government, but in what seems to be a classic case of political defiance, Gachagua appears to be gaining more traction than anyone anticipated. His political acumen and ability to rally support among certain communities have left many scratching their heads, wondering if they’ve underestimated a force that was thought to be on the brink of irrelevance.
As the DCP party takes shape, some of the biggest political players in the country have come out with full-throated opposition. President Ruto’s allies have been swift to call out the DCP party’s apparent reliance on ethnic backing. These critics claim that such an endeavor not only undermines the unity that the Kenya Kwanza government stands for but also risks deepening ethnic divisions at a time when the country desperately needs national cohesion.
Gachagua  defiance: From ouster to rising influence
But there’s more to this story than just the usual political sniping. Gachagua’s critics may be barking up the wrong tree, as his political presence has only continued to grow since his ousting from the Kenya Kwanza coalition. What many assumed would be the end of his political relevance is now turning into the beginning of a new chapter, one where Gachagua is asserting himself as a leader with a clear vision and an unwavering resolve. His newfound status seems to suggest that his influence might not have been a passing phase after all, but rather the embers of a political fire that will burn brightly in the coming years.
Political analysts like Willis Otieno and Mukhisa Kitui have been quick to point out that Gachagua’s move might very well signal the unraveling of the once-promising Kenya Kwanza alliance. Otieno, in particular, has raised concerns about the fracturing of what was initially a broad-based coalition aimed at uniting various regions of Kenya.
“The broad-based government is no longer as cohesive as it once seemed. In fact, it’s evident that cracks are beginning to show,” Otieno remarked. According to him, Gachagua’s DCP party is not just a passing fancy, but a serious challenge to the unity of the government.
Herman Manyora, a renowned political commentator, echoes this sentiment, suggesting that the Kenya Kwanza coalition is struggling to maintain its identity and unity. He notes that ‘while the coalition had initially presented itself as a pan-Kenyan movement, it is now increasingly looking like a collection of ethnic-based interests, especially with the rise of the DCP party.” This, Manyora argues, could spell trouble for Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027 if it continues to fracture along tribal lines.
Ruto all for national unity
On the other hand, President Ruto and his loyalists maintain that the 2027 election is a straightforward task. They argue that Kenya Kwanza is still very much united and that Gachagua’s move does not pose any serious threat to the cohesion of the government.
President Ruto addresses wananchi at Moi Stadium in Mandera town. He sad, the government is committed to dealing decisively with insecurity in the region. He was was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Governors Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera) and Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment) and Eric Muuga (Water), and MPs. PHOTO /SUE NYAMASEGE /PCS
In a recent speech, Ruto emphasized that the government’s focus remains on development and that the internal squabbles of the coalition are mere distractions that will not affect their performance or their prospects in the next election.
“I’m focused on delivering what we promised Kenyans. The housing project, a more sustainable health scheme and education. I’m active, let us wait 2027and see how it goes. They have no plans. We will beat them.Even if Kenyans decide to take me home, I will do farming, Ruto asserted.
Yet, as Ruto tries to downplay the significance of Gachagua’s actions, political observers are skeptical. Many see Ruto’s optimism as an attempt to paper over the growing discontent within the ranks of his coalition. The political fragmentation brought on by Gachagua’s rise is a reminder that the unity Ruto so desperately seeks might be harder to achieve than he lets on.
Gachagua and Matiangi’ emerging force
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this ongoing political drama is Gachagua’s rumored alliance with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, a man whose political career has seen its own tumultuous moments. Matiangi, once considered a close ally of Ruto, has since fallen out of favor, but sources suggest that he and Gachagua have found common ground in their shared political ambitions. Should this alliance come to fruition, it could have far-reaching implications for the 2027 elections.
Both Gachagua and Matiangi are seen as powerful political figures in their own right, and their collaboration could signal the rise of a formidable opposition force within the broader political landscape. Their combined influence could attract a significant following from disenfranchised Kenyans, who feel disconnected from the political elite. If Gachagua and Matiangi manage to pull together a broad-based coalition of their own, it would be a direct challenge to Ruto’s authority and could very well disrupt his plans for a smooth re-election campaign.
A national image in question
So, what does all of this mean for the future of Kenyan politics? The emergence of Gachagua’s DCP party may be seen by some as a step backward for national unity, but it also points to a deeper truth: the political landscape is shifting. The once-solidified alliances that dominated Kenya’s political sphere are now showing signs of weakness and instability. Ruto’s supporters may dismiss Gachagua’s party as nothing more than a tribal political vehicle, but in doing so, they may be overlooking the broader implications of this power struggle.
As 2027 draws nearer, the stakes have never been higher. Gachagua’s defiance may be a harbinger of a much more complicated election cycle, one where the political forces at play are not easily pigeonholed into neat boxes. For now, the launch of the DCP party is merely the latest chapter in an ongoing saga of Kenyan political maneuvering, but it’s a chapter that is sure to keep the country guessing in the years to come.