‘Over my dead body’ – Ichung’wah rules out joining Gachagua’s DCP

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has firmly rejected the idea of leaving the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP), stating that he would never join the smaller DCP party before the 2027 general election. During an interview on August 12, 2026, Ichung’wah emphasized that his political decisions are always based on conviction, not political convenience or electoral calculations.

The Kikuyu MP firmly rejected the notion that he could defect to the DCP even if remaining in UDA jeopardized his political prospects in Kikuyu. "Over my dead body, join that small party," Ichung’wah declared when questioned about potential defection. This stance emerges amid growing political realignments leading up to the 2027 elections, with various politicians and parties positioning themselves for potential alliances and shifts in political support.

Ichung’wah maintained that his political actions have always been driven by his principles rather than the need to secure a position. He highlighted his 15-year political journey, noting that he supported President Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto in 2013 through the Jubilee Coalition, then continued working with them through the 2017 election and subsequently backed Ruto and the UDA-led Hustler movement.

According to Ichung’wah, his ongoing association with the Kenya Kwanza administration is grounded in his belief that it represents the right course for the country. He defended this support, asserting that his decision is driven by conviction that the government can lead Kenya forward. Ichung’wah's political allegiance is not dictated by convenience or expediency, he stressed.

"I do and say things out of conviction," he said. He also explicitly rejected the idea of associating himself with ethnic-based political mobilization, clarifying that he has never been involved in politics driven by ethnic identity. "I do not, and I have never associated myself with ethnic-based mobilization," he affirmed, adding that such a principle would not be sacrificed for political office or financial gain.

These remarks come as Kenya's political scene is increasingly focused on coalition-building, defections, and the formation of new alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.