Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rejected claims by Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba that she is being forced to join the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Speaking on Monday, January 12, Gachagua said any pressure Wamuchomba faces originates from her constituents, not him. He explained that Githunguri residents are urging her to align with DCP if she hopes to be re-elected in the 2027 General Election.
“Coerced by who? It is the constituency. If they are telling her she is not DCP, she is gone. What can I do about it? Mine is just to sell DCP. I am not asking her to join; I am saying if you want to be elected, come to DCP. I don’t elect leaders; it’s the citizens who elect,” Gachagua stated.
The former Deputy President distanced himself from accusations of intimidation, saying he only sets the political tone in Mt Kenya.
“The constituents are intimidating her, and they are telling her to follow what the leader is saying. It’s not me… I have just told people to join DCP,” he added.
The statement follows Wamuchomba’s claims on January 5 that Gachagua had used threats and insults to coerce her into joining DCP, a tactic she alleges dates back to his tenure as Deputy President during the 2023 Finance Bill debate.
She also questioned Gachagua’s leadership within DCP, citing ORPP records that do not list him as a registered party official. Wamuchomba challenged other leaders associated with DCP to resign and seek fresh mandates through the party if confident in its popularity.
“I’m not joining the DCP Party, and I’m in UDA till 2027,” she concluded firmly.
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Politics