Decision 2027: Gachagua takes DCP campaigns into politically strategic Nakuru

Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua is embarking on a two-day political tour in Nakuru, a strategically important constituency in Kenya. The tour begins on Friday, August 14, in Naivasha, and will cover Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West constituencies on Friday, followed by visits to Njoro, Elburgon, Turi, Molo, Kibunja, and Rongai on Saturday.

Gachagua, along with a team of opposition leaders, aims to gauge the DCP's appeal in Nakuru, a county known for its diverse electorate and shifting political alliances. Historically, Nakuru has been a battleground between the Mount Kenya and Rift Valley voting blocs, making it a crucial territory for national political parties.

The tour comes at a critical juncture as the 2027 General Election approaches, with Gachagua seeking to build a nationwide coalition capable of challenging President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration. Nakuru's political significance is highlighted by its status as "Mt Kenya in the diaspora," attracting intense competition among national political formations.

The DCP's decision to focus on Nakuru is rooted in the county's diverse electorate and the party's desire to translate its success in Mount Kenya into a win in a more politically diverse region. The party's recent victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election in Nyandarua, where Gachagua's candidate Sammy Douglas Waweru Kamau secured a landslide victory, has bolstered the DCP's confidence and provided fresh political momentum.

One of the key figures in DCP's expansion in Nakuru is Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, a founding member of the party and a vocal ally of Gachagua. Kihara's alignment with the former deputy president has put her at odds with the government, with her home raided and her arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in July 2025. Kihara has described the incident as political persecution and has called for a peaceful campaign by DCP supporters.

The Nakuru tour is expected to serve as an early test of whether the political momentum generated in Mount Kenya can be replicated in Nakuru, a county with a more diverse electorate and shifting political alliances. DCP official Dr Peter Mbae sees the tour as an opportunity to listen to residents, gather their views, and shape the party's manifesto ahead of the 2027 election. The visit also aims to promote a message of peaceful coexistence and national unity, as Nakuru is home to people from various parts of the country.